God verschijnt voor een oude man c. 1550 - 1650

This small engraving presents us with a scene where God appears before an old man within a detailed, pastoral landscape. The most striking element is the divine apparition itself, emerging dramatically from a dense cloud formation, a motif that carries echoes of ancient theophanies, moments when gods reveal themselves to mortals. The old man, kneeling with arms outstretched, mirrors a posture of supplication and awe seen across cultures and centuries. Think of similar gestures in classical antiquity or even in early Christian art – a universal sign of human recognition of a higher power. The surrounding landscape, with its rustic buildings and figures engaged in daily life, sharply contrasts with the divine interruption. This juxtaposition serves to highlight the sudden and unexpected nature of the sacred entering the mundane. The cloud motif, a consistent symbol of divine presence, evolves from the simple nimbus of early religious art to become a powerful, almost overwhelming force here. It speaks to the subconscious human desire for connection with the divine, a desire that manifests in art as a recurring symbol of hope and revelation. The emotional impact is profound, inviting the viewer to contemplate the potential for the extraordinary within the ordinary.