Allegorie op de kerk- en wereldgeschiedenis 1705

This engraving, made by Jan Goeree around the turn of the 18th century, presents an allegory of church and world history, teeming with potent symbols. Note the serene figure of Ecclesia, or the Church, holding a staff and book, juxtaposed with worldly emblems like a crown of thorns and shackles at her feet. Above, a figure with the sun on her chest gestures towards a globe, symbolizing universal knowledge and dominion. This motif of the globe, an emblem of power and enlightenment, echoes through centuries, from ancient Roman depictions of emperors holding orbs to Renaissance cartography, reflecting humanity’s ambition to map and master its world. Yet, observe the hat offered to Ecclesia: does it represent worldly authority, or perhaps a temptation? The tension between spiritual purity and earthly influence reflects a recurring theme in human history, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This recurring visual language of power and redemption reflects our collective memory and enduring search for meaning, and surfaces and resurfaces in new forms throughout history.