Figure-ground Reversal-Durer

Several of Albrecht Dürer's prints and artwork have hidden images in the negative space or whitespace. Artists exploit the human brain's perceptual process by which we determine through color, form, border, and line what is the subject of a given scene or image and what is the background of a given scene or image. This cognitive process is termed Figure–ground (perception) by Gestalt psychology. We use Figure–ground reversal to place the figure in the background and transform the background into the figure.

Originals are sourced from reputable and or crowdsourced and vetted internet resources Museums and Wikipedia primarily.

Melencolia I by Albrecht Durer 1514

If the viewer will take the time to notice the sphere in the lower left hand corner, the sphere can be interpreted as part of an allusion to the Crucifix and an allusion to the Egyptian Ankh. An allusion to the egyptian Was staff, a staff of power, can be seen in the lower right hand corner. The possessor of the staff was ruler of Egypt. These wood working tools could also be viewed as crucifix nails.

Ankh and or Crucifix allusion

Egyption Was-sceptre and or Crucifix nails.

These are two significant Egyptian symbols pointing to the crucifix. in addition there is the symbol for the headdress of isis laying on the ground next to the sphere.

an allusion to the headdress of Isis. 

Below examples of the headdress of isis

We perform a figure-ground reversal on Melencalia and the following process brought about different results and one image that was revealed in every figure-ground reversal was that of Jesus on the cross, center of main image.

Christ crucified center of main image

We will notice that the sphere which is part of the Crucifix on the floor is now smiling.

Christ on cross

Three obscure references to Egypt at the feet of a hidden Jesus on the cross. This is an odd collection of items

Now that we see Christ is on the cross, the winged creatures do not seem so angelic. they appear more demonic. The winged characters appear to be relishing in the suffering of Christ. There is another prominent figure that appears in the lower middle right of the artwork and they appear to be pointing to the saw-toothed sword that lays on the ground

Another figure-ground reversal.

The above image was realized with an overall darker red end result. We can still see the crucified Jesus center of the main image.