Koning Salomo op zijn troon 1590 - 1643

This engraving, "Koning Salomo op zijn troon," currently residing in the Rijksmuseum, presents a complex visual interplay of power, knowledge, and spiritual authority. The composition is vertically tiered, structured around the figure of King Solomon, who sits enthroned on the left, with the text "CANTICUM CANTICORUM" on a beam above the assembly of figures on the right. Note the use of lions on the steps, repeated to emphasize the ascent to wisdom and rule. In the centre is an open book of music. The work is heavily organized with visual elements and signs that invite a deeper reading of cultural codes. The engraving uses a semiotic system, where each element acts as a signifier: Solomon's throne signifies power, while the musical notation references spiritual and emotional depths, suggesting a challenge to fixed secular meanings. It invites us to see knowledge and music not just as aesthetic or intellectual pursuits, but as pathways to divine understanding. Through its detailed and structured presentation, the artwork engages with evolving Renaissance ideas about perception, representation, and power. It emphasizes that the artwork is not just aesthetically pleasing but is a complex cultural and philosophical statement.