Aanbidding der wijzen 1823 - 1880

Pieter Gerardus Bernhard created this engraving, "Adoration of the Magi," in the nineteenth century. Here, the star above the manger dominates, an ancient symbol of divine guidance, signifying destiny and hope. Consider the star's evolution: from its celestial origins, guiding the Magi to Bethlehem, to its symbolic resurrection in various forms throughout history. We see echoes of this guiding light in the halos of Byzantine mosaics and the radiant sun discs of ancient Egypt. The act of adoration itself speaks volumes. The bending of the knee, a gesture of submission and reverence, echoes across cultures. Think of the bowing figures in ancient Near Eastern reliefs, offering tribute to their kings, or the devout prostrations in religious ceremonies worldwide. These gestures, embedded deep within our collective memory, reflect a universal human impulse to acknowledge something greater than ourselves, resonating on a subconscious level. The symbol's cyclical progression reminds us that these core human experiences—hope, guidance, reverence—persist, resurfacing across time, continually reshaped by the cultural landscapes they traverse.