Titelprent met twee rokende mannen 1676 - 1742

This print, made by Georg Philipp Rugendas, depicts two men smoking pipes. The act of smoking, introduced to Europe after Columbus’s voyages, quickly became a symbol of worldly knowledge. Observe how the plume of smoke curls upwards, echoing the twisting forms of the serpent in classical depictions of temptation. This shared visual language reminds us how new symbols often find resonance by intertwining with older, deeply ingrained motifs. Consider the image of the serpent, a symbol of transformation and rebirth, shedding its skin to emerge anew. Similarly, the act of smoking, with its transformative effect on the tobacco leaf, embodies a ritualistic change. These symbols of change echo across centuries, surfacing in unexpected forms, and inviting us to see the enduring power of images across time.