Tafereelen uit de geschiedenis van Jezus kindsheid 1850 - 1881

This print by D. Noothoven van Goor depicts scenes from the early life of Jesus. Central here is the cyclical theme of seeking, persecution, and protection. Notice the recurring motif of flight—Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt to save their child from Herod’s infanticide. This echoes motifs found in ancient myths, from the flight of Aeneas from Troy to the wanderings of Odysseus. Flight is not merely physical but a metaphor for the soul's journey through trials, a theme that transcends cultures and epochs. Consider the emotional weight of the 'Massacre of the Innocents,' a brutal act driven by fear. This primal fear—a king’s insecurity manifesting in violence—resonates across history, resurfacing in various forms of oppression and tyranny. It evokes a deep-seated psychological response, tapping into our collective memory of human cruelty and resilience. These symbols are not linear but cyclical, echoing and evolving through time, reminding us that history, like the human psyche, is a complex tapestry of recurring patterns and enduring emotions.