Triton en gevloerde centaur c. 1655 - 1657

This intricate engraving presents us with a Triton triumphing over a fallen Centaur, amidst swirling foliage. In classical mythology, the Triton, son of Poseidon, embodies the raw power of the sea, while the Centaur, half-man, half-horse, often symbolizes the conflict between intellect and primal instinct. The motif of the vanquished Centaur resurfaces throughout art history, from ancient Greek friezes depicting the Lapiths battling Centaurs, to Renaissance paintings where they symbolize lust and barbarism overcome by reason. In this image, the Triton's victory speaks to a deeper, subconscious desire to master our inner chaos. The positioning of the figures speaks volumes: the Triton above, the Centaur below, mirrors a psychological struggle, where one force dominates. Observe the recurring foliage, echoing the Ouroboros – the snake eating its own tail – a symbol of cyclical existence. Just as myths are endlessly reinterpreted, so too do these symbols, and emotional undercurrents, persist, revealing the timeless currents of the human psyche.