Lot en zijn familie verlaten Sodom 1571 - 1579

This engraving by Philips Galle, created in the late 16th century, captures Lot and his family fleeing the doomed city of Sodom. Here, figures with wings –angels– guide them, embodying divine protection and intervention. Consider the averted gaze of Lot, an expression we find echoed in countless renditions of Orpheus leading Eurydice from the underworld. The command 'do not look back' is a common motif across cultures, symbolizing the struggle to break free from the past. The angel's presence brings to mind the winged victories of classical antiquity, but now imbued with a religious significance. This motif reflects a deeper human impulse: to invoke higher powers during times of crisis. Note the angel’s guiding hand, it is not unlike Hermes leading souls, yet here it is a gesture of salvation, not just passage. This visual echo speaks to our collective subconscious and the timeless human desire for divine rescue. Ultimately, this image reveals how symbols are never truly lost, they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, continuously engaging viewers on a profound level.