Egels, schildpadden, kikkers en kameleon in een landschap 1583

Marcus Gheeraerts made this small engraving depicting animals in a landscape. The humble hedgehog, turtle, frog and chameleon are represented, each carrying its own symbolic weight. Consider the chameleon, an ancient symbol of change and adaptability. In medieval bestiaries, it often represented inconsistency or fickleness due to its ability to change colors. Yet, it also mirrors our human capacity to adapt to the world around us. Now, contrast this to its appearance in ancient Greek philosophy, where it was used to symbolise the ability to avoid danger through skillful adaptation, a characteristic that was perceived as both cunning and wise. What emerges is a pattern: the symbol of the chameleon has become a mirror reflecting the cultural anxieties and aspirations of each era. Here, the chameleon, a symbol of transformation, has resurfaced. It invites us to consider our own place within the ever-shifting currents of history.