Allegorie op de naastenliefde c. 1582 - 1584

"Allegorie op de naastenliefde" (Allegory of Charity), an engraving by Hendrick Goltzius, depicts a central figure symbolizing Charity offering aid to those in need. The woman, draped in a flowing gown, stands with a sheaf of wheat in her hand, a symbol of nourishment and abundance. To her left, a woman dressed in a flowing gown sits with a bowl in her hand, while a man crouches with a bowl and spoon on the right. Goltzius' masterful use of chiaroscuro, evident in the play of light and shadow, creates a sense of depth and drama. This work, characteristic of the Mannerist style, highlights the virtues of charity and compassion, which were central to the moral code of the time. The engraving, now housed at the Rijksmuseum, is a testament to Goltzius' skill as a printmaker and his ability to capture complex allegorical themes through powerful imagery.