Ontwerp voor een tazza met het innemen van Troje 1606

Etienne Delaune created this design for a tazza depicting the Fall of Troy around the mid-16th century. Observe how the iconic Trojan Horse dominates the scene, a symbol of deceit and downfall, ominously brought inside the besieged city. This scene is a powerful emblem of human hubris, with parallels echoing across time. Consider, for instance, how the motif of the deceptive gift appears in the tale of Pandora's Box, or even in the story of the wolf in sheep's clothing. Each reflects the treacherous potential hidden within seemingly harmless offerings. The burning city evokes primal fears of destruction. The intense emotional states of the figures are deeply embedded in our collective consciousness, recurring in various forms throughout art history. We are reminded of the non-linear, cyclical progression of symbols that resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.