Eeuwigheid c. 1585 - 1590

Philips Galle created this engraving, titled "Eeuwigheid," in the late 16th or early 17th century. During this period, visual culture drew heavily from classical and allegorical themes, aiming to convey complex ideas through symbolic representation. Here, we see a female figure embodying Eternity. She holds a circular form, a symbol of unending cycles. Her other hand presents a three-faced head, representing the past, present, and future. This portrayal isn’t merely about linear time; it suggests a continuum where these temporal dimensions are interconnected. Galle’s choice of a female figure is striking, given the era's patriarchal norms. While personifications of concepts were common, the emotional and intellectual attributes assigned to women were frequently limited. Consider how Galle uses the female form to represent an abstract idea like eternity, challenging or reinforcing gendered expectations of his time. This image invites us to ponder not just the passage of time, but also our place within its ceaseless flow.