Figuren voor de hellepoort 1722 - 1782

Simon Fokke rendered "Figures Before the Gates of Hell" in the 18th century. The etching portrays a cavernous opening spewing forth an inferno and winged demons, while figures recoil in terror. The gaping mouth of Hell is an ancient symbol, a chthonic abyss that appears across cultures, from the Greek Tartarus to the Norse Hel. Here, Fokke embodies this primordial fear, tapping into a collective memory of darkness and the unknown. The flames evoke not just physical danger, but also the torment of the soul, a concept deeply embedded in religious consciousness. Observe how similar renditions of hellfire reappear in medieval tapestries and Renaissance paintings, each reflecting its era's anxieties and beliefs. The figures raising their arms in a protective gesture is an echo of the "orant," seen in early Christian art, a stance of supplication and defense against unseen forces. This enduring gesture reveals our ingrained, perhaps subconscious, response to threat, reaching back through millennia. The image is a testament to the cyclical nature of symbols, constantly resurfacing and evolving, a potent reminder of our shared human experiences.