With this illustration, I reimagined the cover of Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari, capturing some key symbols of our evolutionary journey.
The three female figures represent different stages of this journey: one looks to the past, another to the present, and the third—partly cybernetic—faces an uncertain future, her eyes closed as if she cannot yet see what lies ahead.
Behind them, an intricate weave of plant elements gradually transforms: from berries to wheat stalks (symbolizing the Agricultural Revolution), then into digital elements. The greenery fades, leaves wither, thorns emerge, and the branches become increasingly artificial, resembling electronic circuits. At the end of this evolution, an electronic eye, suspended like ripe fruit, stares back at the viewer—A symbol of a humanity both connected and disconnected, striving to dominate nature, reshaping it and itself. It hints at a future where humanity may become both the architect and the prisoner of its own evolution.
This illustration reflects the ambiguity of our evolutionary path, as Harari explores in his work—a journey that has taken us far but leaves an open question about the future of our species: where do we draw the line between advancement and loss?
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BOOK ILLUSTRATION, 2025
