Twee fragmenten van tekst bij een prent van het tafereel van Cebes 1561 - 1596

These are two fragments of text accompanying an image of the ‘Tafereel van Cebes’, made by an anonymous artist. The texts are in Latin, and the title refers to Cebes of Thebes, a Greek philosopher and student of Socrates. This work invites us to reflect on the narratives and knowledge that have been lost to history. The incompleteness of the fragments mirrors the gaps and silences within historical records, particularly concerning marginalized voices. The artist is unknown, leaving us to wonder about their position and perspective, their gender, class, or cultural background. The text hints at philosophical dialogues and moral lessons, yet their full context remains obscured, prompting questions about whose philosophies are preserved and whose are forgotten. Consider the fragility of these remnants. They evoke a sense of loss, but also resilience. Despite their fragmented state, they still carry echoes of past conversations. They challenge us to engage with history as a process of piecing together incomplete narratives.