Oordeel van Sancho Panza c. 1723 - 1724

François Joullain's print, made in the eighteenth century, presents a scene dominated by gestures and symbols of justice and power. Sancho Panza sits enthroned, embodying authority, while around him, figures gesticulate, pleading and accusing. Consider the act of kneeling before Sancho. Across time, kneeling has signified submission, humility, and a plea for mercy, deeply rooted in religious and feudal traditions. We see it in ancient Egyptian depictions of pharaohs receiving tribute, and later in Christian art, symbolizing adoration of the divine. The gesture persists even today, though its significance evolves with each era. Here, Joullain captures the psychological weight of seeking justice, the individual's vulnerability before power. The composition evokes a deep, subconscious response—a recognition of our own potential powerlessness, sparking a complex interplay of emotions. This non-linear progression of meaning shows how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.