Spiegel van het Heilig Schrift 1610

This engraving titled "Mirror of the Holy Scripture" was made by Theodoor Galle around the turn of the 17th century. At the heart of the composition, we see an open book, symbolising divine wisdom. Radiating out from this core are circles containing symbolic figures, drawing parallels between the Old and New Testaments. Consider the figure of the angel, which appears several times throughout the engraving. From antiquity, winged figures have served as intermediaries between the earthly and divine realms. We can see this same motif in ancient Mesopotamian art and in the Greek figure of Hermes. Here, this symbol evolves within a Christian context, representing spiritual purity and divine guidance. The emotional weight carried by these symbols is immense. They tap into our collective memory, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, evoking a sense of awe, reverence, and a desire for spiritual transcendence. It is a testament to the enduring power of images.