Landschap met twee altaren of vuurbakens 1510 - 1571

This landscape with two altars or fire beacons was created by Adriaan de Weerdt, likely in the late 16th century, as an intriguing tableau. Dominating the foreground are two altars, one ablaze, acting as beacons within the serene landscape. These are symbols of ritual and communication. Consider the blazing altar—a motif stretching back to ancient Greece, where signal fires warned of impending danger. Agamemnon's return was heralded by fire signals, relayed across islands. Here, the beacon is not merely practical; it resonates with the primal need for warning and connection. Yet, how has this symbol morphed over time? The flame, once purely a signal of alarm, evolves into a symbol of hope, guidance, or purification across cultures. Our collective memory associates fire with both destruction and renewal. De Weerdt's landscape invites us to reflect on the cyclical nature of symbols, how they resurface, adapt, and continue to ignite our subconscious.