Schepping van het licht 1585

This engraving, titled “Schepping van het licht”, or “creation of the light”, is an anonymous work currently held in the Rijksmuseum. The piece depicts a God-like figure amidst celestial bodies, radiating light. Here, light isn't merely illumination; it embodies the very act of creation, deeply enmeshed in the historical context of religious narratives. Consider how the choice to depict creation as an act of light, rather than through more tangible forms, affects our understanding of divinity. What does it mean for a creator to bring forth the world through light? How does this representation challenge or reinforce traditional notions of power and authority? The piece invites us to think about how we give shape to our worlds, both literally and metaphorically. It’s a reflection on the profound connections between creation, representation, and the ongoing negotiation of meaning.