Frontispiece Design for Turris Babel, sive Archontologia c. 1679

This drawing by Gerard de Lairesse, created around 1679, depicts the biblical story of the Tower of Babel. The artist masterfully illustrates the ambition of humankind to reach heaven through the construction of a tower. The scene showcases the leader of the construction project presenting a blueprint to a Roman soldier, while two cherubs fly above, representing the divine intervention that prevented its completion. The dramatic composition and detailed figures are characteristic of Lairesse's style, known for its classicism and theatrical effect. The artwork, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, serves as a powerful reminder of the limitations of human ambition and the ultimate power of God.