Rupsen op een plant met vrucht 1710 - 1774

This etching of caterpillars on a plant with fruit was made by Jacob l'Admiral in the 18th century. The dominant symbols are the caterpillars, leaves, and fruit, which signify stages of life, growth, and decay. Consider how the humble caterpillar, often seen as destructive, transforms into a butterfly—a potent symbol of metamorphosis. We see this motif echoed in Ancient Greece with Psyche, whose name means "soul" and "butterfly," undergoing trials to achieve immortality. This echoes earlier Egyptian beliefs where the soul emerges from the body as a butterfly. The caterpillar, then, is not merely a pest but a reminder of our potential for change, a force that has engaged viewers on a subconscious level throughout history. It symbolizes hope, renewal, and the cyclical nature of existence, continually resurfacing and evolving in meaning.