Afgoderij van Salomo 1767

Reinier Vinkeles created this print, “Afgoderij van Salomo,” depicting Solomon's idolatry. The scene centers on Solomon pouring a libation onto a pagan altar, with female figures adorning it with garlands. These images are steeped in historical and religious symbolism: Solomon’s gesture, a perversion of sacred ritual, signals a fall from grace. The act echoes ancient pagan traditions, a stark contrast to his earlier devotion. We can trace similar scenes of sacrificial offerings back to classical antiquity, where libations were common in rites honoring various deities. The image's emotional power lies in the betrayal of faith, a theme resonating through time. The garlands, symbols of celebration and honor, are repurposed here, twisted into instruments of idolatry, much like the snake that recurs throughout time as a symbol of both medicine and poison. Thus, we see how images and gestures evolve, their meanings layered and transformed across epochs, mirroring the complexities of the human experience.