Satan bedekt Job met zweren 1645 - 1646

This engraving, crafted by Christoffel van Sichem II, depicts Satan afflicting Job with sores. The figure of Satan, covered in hair, embodies the archaic symbolism of the wild man or ‘Homo Ferus’, a motif that stretches back to ancient folklore. Note how the figure of Satan, the bringer of chaos and bodily suffering, echoes the Dionysian figure of ecstasy and madness, linking the divine and the demonic. The poses of Job's companions recall classical mourning gestures, connecting the grief and compassion found in ancient tragedies to the biblical narrative. Consider the cyclical recurrence of these archetypes across cultures and eras; the embodiment of primal forces in monstrous forms, the expression of grief through codified gestures. These are powerful symbols that engage viewers on a deep, subconscious level. These enduring symbols have resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings throughout history, reflecting humanity's ongoing negotiation with the forces of order and chaos.