Philemon en Baucis 1677 - 1755

Elias van Nijmegen rendered this drawing, Philemon and Baucis, using pen in brown ink, watercolor, and brush in gray and brown. The scene is dominated by the eagle above the table, a symbol of Jupiter, who, along with Mercury, is being hosted by the elderly couple. Consider how the motif of the eagle, emblem of power and divine authority, echoes through time, from Roman standards to modern national symbols. Its presence here, overseeing a humble meal, is a fascinating contrast. The eagle can also be linked to the collective memory of ancient Rome and its emperors. The humble offering of food and wine connects to themes of hospitality, sacrifice, and transformation, recurring in various cultural and religious contexts. It carries a powerful emotional charge, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Such symbols are not linear in their progression, but cyclical, resurfacing and evolving, taking on new meanings across historical epochs.