Illustration til "The Lord's Prayer" 1863

This is Lorenz Frølich's Illustration til "The Lord's Prayer," a drawing illustrating a plea for deliverance from evil. Note the figure entwined by a serpent—a potent symbol harking back to the Fall in Eden. The serpent, traditionally a symbol of temptation and forbidden knowledge, binds the figure, illustrating humanity's struggle against sin. We see this motif echoed throughout art history. The serpent's association with evil is not constant. Consider its earlier veneration in ancient cultures as a symbol of healing and rebirth, as seen in the caduceus. Observe the anguished expressions and gestures of supplication, an emotional mirror reflecting our own vulnerabilities. Frølich's illustration taps into a deep, shared cultural memory. The image invites us to confront the cyclical dance between good and evil, illustrating how symbols evolve, carrying echoes of past interpretations, yet always reflecting the present human condition.