Allegorische figuur met Joodse man 1686

This etching, "Allegorical figure with Jewish man," was created by Romeyn de Hooghe around 1686. De Hooghe was working in a Dutch Republic which was experiencing a complex relationship with its Jewish population. In this image we see the varied ways Judaism was perceived at the time. On the one hand, the "Jewish man" is depicted in conversation with other scholars. Yet above them is a winged allegorical figure riding on the backs of animals referencing the Evangelists, suggesting that the Jewish figures are somehow below or subservient to the New Testament. We can see here how the cultural context and religious tensions are manifested through symbolic representations of identity and belief. Ultimately, this etching serves as a reminder of how identity is constructed and negotiated, and prompts us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in representation.