Dood van Absalom 1530 - 1533

This striking woodcut, "The Death of Absalom," depicts a scene fraught with biblical drama. Absalom, son of David, meets his end when his abundant hair becomes entangled in the branches of an oak tree, leaving him vulnerable to his pursuers. The tree itself is a potent symbol. Throughout history, trees have represented life, growth, and connection to both the earthly and the divine. Yet, here, the tree becomes an instrument of fate. We see a similar motif in ancient myths, such as the story of Daphne, who transforms into a laurel tree to escape Apollo’s pursuit, symbolizing the human desire to evade destiny. Consider the psychological weight of this image: the inescapable pull of fate. The capture of Absalom is not depicted with violence but with an almost serene inevitability. The scene resonates with the subconscious understanding that we are all, in some way, bound by forces beyond our control. This visual language is not linear; it echoes through time, resurfacing in various forms, each reflecting humanity's ongoing dialogue with destiny and the cyclical nature of life and death.