A Rat Seen in Profile 1685 - 1755

Count Giorgio Duranti rendered this rat in delicate watercolor. Here, the rat symbolizes pestilence, decay, and the darker aspects of human existence. Yet, it transcends its immediate context, echoing through the corridors of time, laden with cultural and emotional resonance. Consider the recurring image of rodents scurrying in the shadows of Renaissance paintings, often positioned to evoke unease and lurking danger. Even in the modern era, the rat persists as a potent symbol of urban squalor, social alienation, and societal ills. These representations tap into a primal fear. This fear resonates deeply within our collective unconscious, revealing how symbols evolve, adapt, and resurface across epochs, mirroring and shaping our perceptions. The cyclical recurrence of the rat embodies our complex relationship with the world.