Jupiter zendt Iris naar Hector 1710

This is an engraving by Bernard Picart, made in 1703, depicting Jupiter sending Iris to Hector. Here, we witness a rich tapestry of symbols, each echoing through the corridors of time. Jupiter, king of the gods, dispatches Iris, the rainbow goddess, to Hector, a Trojan prince. The rainbow itself is a potent symbol. In ancient mythologies, it often serves as a bridge between the divine and mortal realms, a pathway for celestial messengers. We see echoes of this in other traditions: the Norse Bifrost, a rainbow bridge connecting Midgard and Asgard. But its emotional resonance extends further. Think of its recurring use in art through the ages as a symbol of hope after the storm, connecting divinity and the emotional state of man. The act of divine intervention speaks to humanity's enduring quest for meaning and order amidst chaos. As we delve deeper, we realize the non-linear progression of these symbols, a continuous cycle of rediscovery and reinvention across the ages.