The Reflection: Likeness Unites
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Reflection: Likeness Unites
Scripture Reference:
- 2 Corinthians 3 (further images / scripture text)
Description: Two women cover their eyes to protect them from the glare of the sun’s reflection in a window; the dog that accompanies them looks up at them. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712), whose initials are at the lower right, was responsible for drawing and etching this emblem, as well as for the poem that accompanies it (below). The attendant Scripture text is 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Motto:
So it must go with all Souls,
Which stand opposite God.
Poem:
The Sunshine reflected in the window,
Changes its look when viewed,
As if it were as bright as the Sun itself,
But the wood and stone keep their dullness.
The heart is, thus, encouraged to become pure.
To capture and receive the Eternal light,
So that it would reflect the rays again,
And thus might be called holy.
If then the earth would no longer cover it,
And would, with its dirt of temporary things,
From worldly desire and indolence no more defile it,
So that the ray can shine on and from it.
As to how the Soul achieves that purity,
And how that state of clarity is obtained,
So that the light appears to be the clear reflection,
Following the example of all the truly pious;
The mouth of wisdom has taught us,
Which itself is the Sun, and the Light, of life,
To reflect from all the earth, that is turned to it,
Its clear reflection:
To abandon what the world has and gives,
And so to clearly show the Faith,
So that the Heart lives not here but yonder,
By God, its Treasure, where it aspires to dwell Eternally.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
.
Click here for additional images available from this book.
Request a high-resolution file (fees apply)
Rights Statement: The online edition of this work in the public domain, i.e., not protected by copyright, has been produced by Pitts Theology Library, Emory University.
Rights Status: No Copyright - United States
Pitts Theology Library provides copyright information as a courtesy and makes no representation about copyright or other legal status of materials in the Digital Image Archive.