Bileam en zijn ezelin 1530 - 1533

This is an anonymous woodcut print depicting a scene from the Old Testament story of Balaam and his donkey. In this moment we find a fraught encounter between Balaam, a diviner, his donkey, and an angel of God. Balaam is on his way to curse the Israelites, when his donkey stops, seeing an angel blocking their path. Blinded by his mission, Balaam cannot perceive the divine presence and beats the poor animal in frustration. The story asks us to consider questions of power. Who has the right to speak, to see, to know? The image invites us to consider the hierarchies between man and animal, the seen and unseen, divine will and human stubbornness. It’s also about the fact that sometimes wisdom and insight can come from the most unexpected sources, even a donkey. The woodcut’s stark contrasts and raw lines amplify the emotional tension of the scene. The image resonates with timeless themes of perception, obedience, and the consequences of unchecked authority.