Leger van Antiochus Epifanes doodt Israëlieten 1585

This engraving, "Leger van Antiochus Epifanes doodt Israëlieten", was created by Wierix around the turn of the 17th century. The print depicts a biblical scene of the army of Antiochus Epiphanes killing Israelites. Wierix, living in Antwerp, was working in a society deeply shaped by religious and political conflict. The Eighty Years' War, a fight for independence from Spanish rule, was raging. In this context, Wierix's choice to depict a scene of religious persecution is particularly pointed. The engraving is unflinching in its portrayal of violence, showing men being stabbed and women and children caught in the chaos. The expressions of agony and terror are palpable, making the scene emotionally intense. The work is a stark reminder of the human cost of religious intolerance, reflecting a period marked by ideological battles and the struggle for self-determination. It serves as a historical mirror, reflecting the societal anxieties and the artist's own position within a world torn apart by conflict and faith.