Het Gehoor 1638 - 1665

Salomon Savery crafted this etching, "Het Gehoor," capturing a scene rich with sensory implications. At its center, a figure clutches a bag, presumably filled with stolen goods, while eavesdroppers lurk in the shadows and windows, alluding to the act of overhearing. This motif of illicit listening hearkens back to classical tales of hidden ears and whispered secrets, echoing in works across time. Consider the recurring figure of Argus in mythology, whose hundred eyes were a symbol of surveillance. Here, it is not the eye, but the ear that becomes the instrument of scrutiny and deception. The bag, clutched tightly, mirrors the subconscious urge to conceal, a visual metaphor for repressed desires. It reminds me of the ever-changing interpretation of the cornucopia motif, from symbols of abundance to metaphors for excess. The image taps into our primal understanding of forbidden knowledge. The human desire to unveil what is hidden engages viewers on a deep level, highlighting the cyclical nature of intrigue and awareness.