Genius van de wereld before 1467

This drawing, titled "Genius van de wereld," shows a winged figure holding a sphere, made by an anonymous artist. Note the globe cradled in the figure’s left hand, symbolizing dominion over the cosmos. Consider how this iconography echoes through the ages. We find similar motifs in classical depictions of Atlas bearing the celestial sphere, or Renaissance portrayals of monarchs holding globes as emblems of earthly power. Yet, here, the figure seems almost burdened by the weight of the world, gazing not outwards with authority, but inwards with a subtle melancholy. This introspective gaze evokes a deep, subconscious connection to the viewer's own sense of responsibility toward the cosmos. This image is not a linear progression but a cyclical return of symbols, continuously reborn and re-imagined, reflecting our evolving relationship with the universe.