Rebekka ontmoet Eliëzer bij de waterput 1549

Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert created this engraving, "Rebekka ontmoet Eliëzer bij de waterput," in the Netherlands during the 16th century. Here we see a biblical scene rendered in a highly classicizing style. The muscular figures and carefully studied drapery recall ancient sculpture. This aesthetic was very much in vogue at the time, part of a broader humanist movement that sought to revive classical learning and artistic ideals. However, the print also reflects the religious and social upheavals of the period. The Protestant Reformation challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, and artists began to explore new ways of depicting biblical narratives. Coornhert himself was deeply involved in these debates, advocating for religious tolerance and social reform. To fully understand this artwork, we might turn to period sources: theological treatises, political pamphlets, and of course, other visual representations of the same scene. By situating this print within its complex historical context, we can gain a deeper appreciation of its meaning and significance.