Portret van schrijfmeester Lieven Willemsz. van Coppenol 1809

This engraving by Joachim Jan Oortman the Younger, depicts Lieven Willemsz van Coppenol, a master of calligraphy, holding a slip of paper and a pair of scissors. Here, the scissors are no mere tool, but a symbol of transformation, akin to the Fates’ shears that cut the thread of life. Consider, then, how this motif resurfaces across history, far from this Dutch master. In medieval art, shears appear in scenes of martyrdom, violently ending life. Yet, in other contexts, scissors symbolize refinement, precision, and the crafting of beauty. This duality—destruction and creation—taps into our deepest fears and desires, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Notice how Oortman’s engraving embodies this tension. The scissors in Coppenol’s hands suggest control, skill, yet hint at the fragility of existence. A reminder that every act of creation carries within it the shadow of destruction, and vice versa. The image thus becomes a potent symbol of life's cyclical, non-linear progression, forever oscillating between opposing forces.