Allegorie op de verwoesting van Jeruzalem 1702 - 1767

Jacob Folkema created this engraving of the Allegory on the Destruction of Jerusalem in the 18th century. Notice the figure of Justice hovering above, scales in hand, a symbol of divine judgment. Beside her, angels wield both olive branches of peace and swords of retribution, reflecting the dual nature of conflict and consequence. These images are not isolated; they echo through time. The figure of Justice, for example, descends from ancient depictions of Dike, the Greek goddess of moral order. The juxtaposition of peace and war mirrors motifs seen in Roman art, signaling both the potential for reconciliation and the brutal realities of power. Consider the emotional weight of this scene. The devastation of Jerusalem is not merely a historical event but a deeply felt wound, collectively remembered and re-experienced through art. Folkema's work serves as a potent reminder of how symbols carry cultural memory forward, evolving yet enduring. This cyclical progression illustrates the interplay of past, present, and future as a testament to humanity’s ongoing struggle.