Koning Salomo schrijft het Bijbelboek Spreuken 1583

Abraham de Bruyn’s engraving depicts King Solomon, divinely inspired to write the Book of Proverbs. The crown upon his head, the royal robes, and the quill in his hand are not merely symbols of status but of profound power. Consider the quill, an instrument to put thought into permanent form. It reappears throughout history, from monastic scribes illuminating manuscripts to revolutionary pamphleteers shaping public opinion. This image of writing isn't static; it is an act of capturing thoughts, a primal act of imposing order onto the chaos of existence. Writing becomes a form of immortality, a bridge across time. The quill has shifted from sacred tool to weapon of influence, but its essence remains. In each context, it taps into our collective desire to leave a mark, to transcend mortality through the permanence of the written word. This engraving is not simply a portrait; it's a potent reminder of our shared, subconscious drives.