Book 2, Fable 1: the two oracles (Les deux oracles) 1719

Nicolas Henry Tardieu created this print, “The Two Oracles,” sometime in the 18th century. It depicts a scene of consultation with oracles, figures believed to have divine insight, often set within a Roman context. Here, the central figure, head in hands, embodies deep contemplation, a gesture that echoes across time. Consider the image of melancholia, popularized by Dürer, where the seated figure is also captured in this pose of introspection. This gesture transcends mere sadness; it signifies a profound engagement with knowledge and fate. The Roman soldier suggests the weight of civic duty and the potential for violence. Such symbols recur, transformed, throughout history, revealing the enduring human quest for understanding and guidance. Like a dream, these images tap into our collective unconscious, carrying the echoes of past anxieties and hopes. This print is not just an illustration; it is a node in the vast network of images, continuously reshaped by our desires and fears.