David verdeelt zijn leger in drieën / Dood van Absalom / Terugkeer van David naar Jeruzalem / Joab krijgt het hoofd van Seba aangereikt 1575 - 1654

This series of engravings by Johann Sadeler, made around 1600, presents scenes from the life of David. Note the panel depicting the death of Absalom, where he hangs suspended from a tree. This image, rich with the symbolism of divine retribution, carries echoes of earlier portrayals of martyrdom and sacrifice. Consider, for instance, the figure of Judas, often depicted hanging, bearing the weight of betrayal. The tree, a symbol of life and knowledge, here becomes an instrument of death. This twist echoes through centuries, reappearing in various forms, from religious art to secular tales of justice and downfall. These images connect to a collective memory, stirring subconscious fears and moral reflections, a potent reminder of the consequences of ambition and transgression. It's a non-linear progression. This symbol, once rooted in religious lessons, has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.