God scheidt licht en donker, Allegorie op de zondeval en De duif keert terug met olijftak 1683 - 1733

This etching by Bernard Picart, titled "God scheidt licht en donker, Allegorie op de zondeval en De duif keert terug met olijftak," depicts a complex allegory. A skeletal figure, representing Death, holds a globe in his skeletal hand, with a serpent entwined around it, symbolizing temptation and sin. Above, the sun shines brightly, representing God's creation, and a crescent moon, representing the fallen state of man. A branch with an olive branch, a symbol of peace, extends from the center of the composition, a representation of hope and renewal. Picart's work highlights the complexities of human existence, juxtaposing the fall with the promise of redemption. The piece is a powerful example of Baroque-era printmaking, utilizing light and shadow to emphasize the symbolic nature of the composition.