Thronus Justitiae duodecim pulcherrimis tabulis artificiosissime aeri incisis illustratus 1606

This is an image of "Thronus Justitiae duodecim pulcherrimis tabulis artificiosissime aeri incisis illustratus," by Willem van Swanenburg, an engraving on paper. The cover resembles reptile skin, a pattern that triggers a visceral response, a primal fear that goes beyond reason. The intricate web of circles, with their dark centers and light outlines, suggests a complex network, perhaps even evoking the 'eyes' of Argus, ever-watchful. This symbol of surveillance stretches back to ancient Greece, where Argus guarded Io, and reappears throughout history, morphing in meaning yet always tied to scrutiny and vigilance. These 'eyes' staring back at the viewer, stir feelings of unease. This unsettling sensation reminds us of our vulnerability under observation, tapping into a deep-seated psychological response to being watched, a feeling that has echoed through the ages in mythology, art, and even modern surveillance.