Waarschuwing tegen overspel 1611 - 1639

This engraving, "Warning Against Adultery," was created by Crispijn van de Passe II. The central image of embracing lovers offers a study in symbolic contrasts. Consider the lute discarded nearby—an emblem of harmony now silent, juxtaposed against the lecherous monkey, a symbol of base desires and deceit. In the background, we glimpse other suggestive scenes. This motif of contrasting images mirrors those found in earlier morality plays, illustrating the temptations and consequences of straying from virtue. The image is a visual sermon, reflecting society's anxieties about morality and the fragility of marital fidelity. It stirs our subconscious, reminding us of the eternal struggle between our higher and lower selves. The act of 'love' is cyclical, continuously resurfacing and evolving, perpetually navigating the shifting currents of human desire and societal expectation.