De jacht naar God c. 1570 - 1576

This is an engraving titled 'The Hunt for God' by an anonymous artist. It presents a theological allegory visualized through a dynamic hunting scene. On the left, we see Diana, goddess of the hunt, releasing Actaeon, who's been transformed into a stag. He’s pursued by a hound representing 'Sense of Judgement'. To the right are three women symbolizing Faith, Hope, and Charity, standing serenely on clouds, seemingly unmoved by the frantic chase. The print embodies the religious tensions of its time. It attempts to reconcile classical mythology with Christian virtue. In this context, the 'hunt' becomes a metaphor for the soul’s quest for divine knowledge, suggesting that the path to God requires transcending earthly desires and physical limitations. The contrast between the active pursuit and the passive acceptance encourages us to reflect on the diverse ways individuals seek spiritual fulfillment, mirroring the complex religious landscape that was forming at the time.