Cave of Plato

The cave of Plato, depicted as a chamber of the heart. The cave is divided in two by a large wall. On the wall stand various personifications (Love, Hope, Faith, Greed, Drunkenness, Fame, etc.). A brazier behind these personifications casts their shadows on the cave wall. In the foreground on the right sits a large group of people, of different classes and religions. The people are debating, but only look at the shadows of the personifications. They are in the shadow of the wall. On the left in the foreground of the cave a group of scholars is in the light. They also debate, but look at the personifications and the brazier. Two scholars try to convince the people behind the wall to step into the light. In the background a narrow passage to the world outside the cave. Only three men have noticed the passage and passed through. They are in the open air. The print has a Bible text as title and a Latin text as inscription.