De val van Phaëthon en de metamorfose van de Heliaden tot populieren 1566

In this engraving by Pieter van der Heyden, we observe the fall of Phaeton, son of Helios, rendered with meticulous detail. Helios, the sun god, traverses the heavens in his chariot, an image of divine order. Phaeton's reckless descent, however, embodies chaos, disrupting this celestial harmony. Note the winged figures and masks around this central scene, motifs echoing those found in ancient Roman friezes. Like actors on a stage, they remind us of the human drama inherent in mythology. Consider the enduring presence of the chariot motif: from ancient Egyptian depictions of pharaohs in battle to its reappearance in Renaissance triumphal processions, it signifies power and control. Yet, here, it becomes a vehicle of destruction, a poignant reversal. The tragic narrative resonates deeply, evoking primal fears of chaos and hubris. This image taps into our collective memory, reminding us of the fragility of order. The cycle continues: images are reborn, each time carrying echoes of the past, yet shaped by the present.