Gezichtsveld van twee ogen 1679

This engraving by Sébastien Leclerc I, made around the late 17th century, depicts the geometry of vision. It captures how our eyes perceive objects in space, symbolized here by a sphere emanating light. Consider the act of seeing, which has been represented across time and culture. We find eyes depicted on ancient Egyptian sarcophagi as symbols of protection and awareness, like the Eye of Horus. The symbolic use of the eye transcends mere representation; it evokes profound psychological associations of vigilance, knowledge, and divine insight. This potent symbolism taps into our collective subconscious, stirring deep-seated emotions tied to our understanding of perception and reality. The geometry in Leclerc’s image, with lines radiating from the eyes to an object, also mirrors the way Renaissance artists conceived of perspective, linking the viewer to the world in a structured, almost spiritual way. Notice how this visual language resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings, reflecting humanity’s enduring quest to understand and represent our place in the world.