Aanbidding door de herders c. 1600 - 1652

This engraving by François Stuerhelt depicts the adoration of the newborn Christ by the shepherds, a humble scene imbued with profound symbolism. Here, within a rustic stable, the divine intersects with the mundane. Note the presence of a spiderweb. This motif, seemingly trivial, carries layers of meaning across cultures and time. In some contexts, the spider represents destiny, weaving the fabric of fate. Yet, its web can also symbolize entrapment, a subtle reminder of mortality even in this sacred moment. Consider how the same image appears in Dutch vanitas paintings, reminding us of the transience of life. The juxtaposition of the holy and the humble speaks to a deep human yearning for connection with the divine, an emotional and psychological need that resonates across centuries. As we contemplate this scene, let us remember that symbols never truly die; they resurface, evolve, and echo through the corridors of time.