Beschouwt hier, kinderen! de zinlyke eigenschappen, / of zinnen, alle vyf verbeeld naar rang en trappen, / En streelt uw zinnen zelv' door 't aangenaam sieraad, / Dat in dit prent-tafreel zich verder vinden laat 1806 - 1830

This print, made by J. Robyn, presents a fascinating allegorical representation of the five senses arranged in a hierarchical tableau. At the top, we find ‘Smell,’ depicted by figures tending to plants, signifying the immediate, often subconscious connection to memory and emotion. Consider the cross at the center, nestled between the senses of taste, hearing, and sight. Its position is not merely decorative; the cross speaks to a deeper, more profound sense—spirituality, a sixth sense, if you will. We see similar arrangements across cultural expressions, where the senses are not just physical experiences but pathways to understanding higher truths. The recurring symbol of the cross, historically tied to faith and sacrifice, takes on new layers here. It echoes the cyclical nature of symbols themselves—reappearing, evolving, and engaging us on a subconscious level with their ever-shifting meanings.