Salomon en Theophrastus 1663

This engraving by Cornelis van Caukercken presents an elaborate title page, teeming with symbols that echo through time. On top, notice the child riding a lion, a motif that appears across cultures and eras—from ancient Mithraic mysteries to Renaissance allegories. The child embodies innocence and dominion, while the lion symbolizes raw power tamed by virtue. Consider how this image resonates with our primal fascination with controlling the untamed. This pairing, echoing themes of conquering natural instincts, has been continually reinterpreted. The figures of Salomon and Theophrastus flank the central text, embodying wisdom and knowledge. They are guardians of the text. Their inclusion reflects a desire to ground contemporary knowledge in the authority of the past, linking the present to a lineage of intellectual achievement. These symbols aren't static; they evolve, resurface, and adapt. In each epoch, they acquire new layers of meaning, engaging viewers in an ongoing dialogue between past and present.