David wordt berispt om zijn overspel 1547 - 1612

Philips Galle’s engraving, "David wordt berispt om zijn overspel", captures a pivotal biblical scene with potent symbols. David, enthroned, is confronted by Nathan, whose raised finger embodies divine authority. Below, a docile lion—a motif since antiquity—lies at David's feet, connoting his kingship but also, perhaps, a tamed conscience. Consider the act of pointing: from ancient Roman oratory to Renaissance art, it signifies direction, accusation, or judgment. Here, it's a gesture laden with moral weight, echoing in countless depictions of judgment scenes across cultures. The emotional tension, a visceral sense of guilt and confrontation, is palpable. It resonates with our shared human understanding of shame and accountability. The scene is more than a historical depiction, it is an archetypal representation of power, morality, and the enduring struggle between temptation and righteousness. It reveals how deeply ingrained these symbols are in our collective psyche, continually resurfacing and being reinterpreted across time.