Cyrus laat Daniëls aanklagers in de leeuwenkuil werpen 1565 - 1579

Philips Galle created this engraving, "Cyrus laat Daniëls aanklagers in de leeuwenkuil werpen," sometime between 1537 and 1612. The composition writhes with figures in a macabre dance, a chaotic vortex pulling the eye into the lions' den. Galle masterfully uses line to create texture and depth, the density of hatching and cross-hatching building a palpable sense of dread. The scene is organized into distinct registers, each a stage for cruelty. Above, Cyrus presides, an aloof observer. Below, men are hurled into the pit, their bodies contorted in expressions of terror as they become prey. Galle, working within the established visual language of his time, uses the semiotic weight of the lion to symbolize divine retribution. Consider how this work engages with themes of power and justice, using the stark contrast of light and shadow to underscore the precariousness of human existence. It isn't merely a depiction of a biblical story, but a stark meditation on human morality.