The Wandering Jew; ‘Whom the gods love die young’ 1888

Evelyn De Morgan’s ‘The Wandering Jew’, created at an unknown date, depicts a scene laden with potent symbolism. The snake, entwined beneath the deathbed, is one of the oldest symbols known to humankind, capable of evoking dread and fascination, temptation and healing. Consider its appearance in the Genesis story, a bringer of knowledge but also of downfall. This duality is reflected in ancient Greek culture where snakes were associated with medicine and Aesculapius, yet could also embody danger. The juxtaposition of the snake with the serene image of a young woman lying in repose brings to mind the complexities of life and death. The Wandering Jew, forever cursed, stands as a somber figure, eternally separated from peace. The viewer is drawn into the scene, engaging on a deep, subconscious level to consider the convergence of these symbols, loss, and the weight of history. These ancient symbols – of death, of healing, of eternal wandering – never truly disappear; they resurface, evolve, and are continually reinterpreted through the passage of time.