XLII Noch ick, noch de wijn 1614

This engraving by Roemer Visscher, made around 1614, features a stemmed goblet filled with wine, an emblem laden with cultural significance. The goblet, seemingly overflowing, doesn't merely represent indulgence; it mirrors the Dionysian vessel—a symbol of ecstatic release found in ancient Greek rites. Notice how this motif persistently resurfaces across epochs, appearing in Bacchic festivals depicted on Roman frescoes, or even medieval allegories of the senses. Over time, the vessel and its contents transition from sacred libation to emblems of worldly pleasure, sometimes even cautioning against excess. Observe the goblet's unstable base, suggestive of inebriation and loss of control, engaging viewers viscerally. Such compositions tap into our collective memory, warning us about our susceptibility to momentary impulses and the potential for self-deception. The goblet of wine, thus, follows a non-linear path through history, its symbolism bending and reshaping itself to accommodate our shifting cultural landscape.