Jesaja houdt aanklacht tegen Jeruzalem 1538 - 1543

This woodcut by Hans Holbein the Younger depicts the prophet Isaiah delivering a stark warning to Jerusalem. Isaiah gestures dramatically toward the heavens, his expression a mix of sorrow and urgency, symbolizing divine judgment. Notice the cloud formation above the city, reminiscent of a serpent, a motif that carries echoes from the Garden of Eden to the dragon slain by Saint George. The serpent, a recurring symbol across cultures, embodies chaos, temptation, and the hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface. The image recalls our collective memories of downfall, a visual trigger that stirs deep-seated fears of moral corruption. The raised hands appear across time, such as in Ancient Egyptian art, signalling a connection to the divine. In Holbein’s image, it conveys both supplication and prophecy. Ultimately, this image is a potent reminder of how symbols persist, adapt, and continue to shape our understanding of the world.