Selectie van Gideons manschappen Possibly 1582 - 1654

Pieter van der Borcht created this print, "Selection of Gideon's Troops," employing engraving to bring to life a biblical narrative. The dominant image is the river where Gideon tests his men, separating those who lap water like dogs from those who drink properly. Consider the symbolism of water: it's a purifying element, a divider. We see similar motifs across cultures, from ancient Babylonian rituals to Christian baptism. The act of drinking, too, becomes a signifier—self-control versus impulsiveness. It transcends mere thirst; it speaks to a deeper, psychological assessment. The selection evokes a primal winnowing, an instinctual culling for survival. The contrast is stark, drawing viewers into the dramatic decision. Like the ancient Greeks choosing their warriors or a pride of lions testing its young, it speaks to a cultural memory of who is worthy.