Jakob wordt door Jozef aan de farao voorgesteld 1645 - 1740

This is Christoffel van Sichem II’s woodcut illustrating Jacob being presented to the Pharaoh. The checkered floor is more than mere decoration. It is a potent symbol laden with meaning. This pattern echoes through time, resonating with the masonic tradition, where it symbolizes the duality of existence – light and darkness, good and evil. The checkered floor serves as a reminder of the choices we face and the path we tread in life. Consider how, in ancient mystery religions, the initiates walked across similar patterns, marking their transition from one state of being to another. The motif resurfaces in Renaissance paintings, often beneath the feet of powerful figures, suggesting a stage upon which the drama of life unfolds. Over time it evolves into an emblem of order and reason, reflecting the Enlightenment’s pursuit of clarity and structure. These symbols have a life of their own, constantly shifting and adapting as they journey through the cultural landscape.