Et dimitte nobis (og forlad os) 1571

"Et dimitte nobis (og forlad os)" is a drawing made by Maarten van Heemskerck in the 16th century. Van Heemskerck lived through the Reformation, a period of immense religious and social upheaval, and this drawing is a powerful reflection on faith, sin, and redemption. The composition is strikingly human, depicting figures in various states of distress and supplication. It’s impossible not to see the emotional weight of the plea for forgiveness. Van Heemskerck isn't just illustrating a biblical scene, he’s capturing the raw, vulnerable core of human experience, making the divine accessible through shared suffering and hope. The figures seem to embody different facets of human experience: guilt, longing, and the search for meaning in a world fraught with uncertainty. As you contemplate this drawing, consider how Van Heemskerck invites us to confront our own vulnerabilities and desires for forgiveness. How does the artwork shape our understanding of what it means to be human in the face of moral complexities?