De Zon en zijn invloed op de wereld 1585

This engraving by Johann Sadeler I, created around 1600, presents us with a vision of the sun and its influence on the world. At its heart, the radiant figure of Sol, the sun god, sits in his chariot, drawn by powerful horses, their reins held firmly as they traverse the heavens. Above, a zodiacal Leo signals the sun's fiery power. This triumphant image of Sol echoes across millennia, reminiscent of Helios in ancient Greek art, and even Mithras in Roman cults. These symbols of divine power are not static; they evolve, adapting to new cultural landscapes. The sun, in its constant, cyclical journey, embodies both creation and destruction, a psychological truth mirrored in our own fluctuating emotional states. Ultimately, the recurring image of the sun, whether as a life-giver or a harbinger of change, reminds us of the enduring power of symbols to connect us to the past, resonating in our collective memory.