Jona en de walvis 1645 - 1740

This is a woodcut made by Christoffel van Sichem II depicting Jonah being thrown into the sea. The most striking symbol here is the whale, or "Vis" as the Dutch text indicates, ready to swallow Jonah. This motif of the engulfing sea monster has ancient roots, appearing in various forms across cultures. Think of the Babylonian Tiamat, a chaos monster of the deep. The whale here isn't just a beast; it embodies divine punishment and transformative potential. It's a dark, primal force. The story of Jonah, like many myths, speaks to our collective subconscious, a reminder of humanity's struggle with disobedience, redemption, and the overwhelming power of nature, a fear that transcends time. The image resonates because it touches upon universal themes of sin, punishment, and the hope of salvation. A narrative and representation that continues to evolve and resurface in art and literature.