Maaltijd van de godsman en de oude profeet 1548 - 1554

Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert created this engraving, "Meal of the Man of God with the Old Prophet," capturing a biblical tale through potent visual symbols. The central image of the shared meal is itself a powerful motif of communion and covenant, yet here it becomes fraught with deception. Note the old prophet's gesture—an open hand, seemingly offering hospitality. This harks back to ancient traditions of trust and welcome. However, in this context, it masks a darker intent: a lie that leads to the visiting prophet’s demise. Consider how such gestures reappear throughout art history. The open hand can signify peace, truth, or betrayal, depending on the narrative. Think of Judas's deceptive embrace of Christ—a similar perversion of trust. The emotional impact is profound; we instinctively respond to these visual cues, feeling the weight of deceit and the fragility of human connection. This image serves as a stark reminder of how symbols evolve, carrying echoes of past meanings while adapting to new contexts.