Illustration from the Ritter von Turn, 1493 1493

This woodcut illustration from the Ritter von Turn was crafted by Albrecht Dürer in 1493. It depicts a knight interrupting a scene of intimacy, raising his sword in a dramatic gesture of intervention. The sword is a powerful symbol of justice and authority. Consider its earlier representation as a symbol of divine power in classical antiquity or in the hands of the archangel Michael. Here, it resurfaces, repurposed in a narrative of earthly morality. This act of intervention is a motif we see echoed through centuries, from biblical stories to Renaissance dramas, embodying themes of jealousy, honor, and divine retribution. The emotional tension is palpable—a visceral reaction ingrained in our collective psyche. The viewer is implicated as witness, participant in this age-old drama, grappling with questions of betrayal and justice that continue to resonate within us. This scene is a potent reminder that the past is always present, lurking beneath the surface of our consciousness.