Illustration XVII: Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace c. 16th century

Editor: This woodcut, "Illustration XVII: Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace," is by an anonymous artist. It looks like a dramatic biblical scene. What symbols do you see at play here? Curator: The flames, stylized as swirling lines, evoke not just heat but divine power. Note how the figures within the furnace are unharmed, their faith visualized as protection. The king outside witnesses, suggesting a turning point. Editor: So the fire is both destructive and a symbol of faith? Curator: Precisely. Consider how the repetition of figures—the three men, the king and his attendants—reinforces a binary: belief versus disbelief, divine power versus earthly authority. Visual narratives like this solidified cultural memory. Editor: I see how the artist uses familiar images to convey complex ideas. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. The visual language speaks volumes about the past.