Rurik, Sinens en Truwor besluiten aan hun vaders doodsbed de heerschappij over het Rijk Novgorod te verdelen 1786

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this print depicting the division of the Novgorod realm at the deathbed of a father. Note the symbolic weight Chodowiecki gives to the gestures and objects within this domestic scene. Consider, for instance, the lance propped behind the bed, a clear emblem of power and authority, harking back to classical representations of military might, yet softened here, domesticated by its placement in the intimate space of the dying man’s chamber. The father’s raised hand mirrors countless depictions of blessings across cultures and eras, from ancient Roman depictions of emperors bestowing grace upon their subjects to Christian iconography where it symbolizes divine benediction. This gesture transcends mere cultural boundaries, expressing a fundamental human desire for continuity and legacy. Observe how such symbols persist, echoing through time, adapting to new cultural landscapes, yet forever tethered to their primal origins. It is this very persistence—this cyclical return—that reveals the complex interplay between our conscious present and the subconscious echoes of the past.