Wantrouwen of Afkeer van God c. 1585 - 1590

Curator: What a stark image. It makes me think of anxieties about fortune and fate. Editor: Indeed. This engraving, titled "Wantrouwen of Afkeer van God," or "Distrust or Disgust of God," was created by Philips Galle around 1585-1590. It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. The artist employs an allegorical style that was en vogue in Northern Renaissance printmaking. Curator: The technical skill is impressive—the fine lines used to create such nuanced shading on the figure and the fabric... and there is a figure carrying a hefty, almost bulging, pouch in her left hand. It makes you consider the labor required to produce something with such detail and how the image, disseminated as a print, became an object of trade itself. What commentary was intended through the production? Editor: That's an important consideration. I'm particularly drawn to how the socio-political climate likely influenced the production and reception of such a stark image, specifically the unease towards religious institutions during the 16th century. You can feel the anxiety and how society grappled with material wealth, faith, and earthly needs. Curator: The positioning of the sun in the upper right corner, partially obscured, emphasizes the denial of divine light or guidance. Also, her robe appears quite sumptuous, made with great expense and technical skill, which ironically conflicts with the explicit text in Latin below the image. I see how these elements are woven together, making a commentary about distrust. Editor: Precisely. And in a world grappling with social inequality, famine, and the constant threat of war, what message might this image of rejecting God in favour of worldly riches deliver? What tensions between the church's teachings on charity versus the reality of wealth accumulation are illuminated in such imagery? Curator: Galle masterfully used the medium of engraving to make an image ripe with social critique, and thinking about the paper's materiality makes it accessible. What this object could become as a token within society is fascinating. Editor: Absolutely, thinking about art's engagement in society leads to such rich reflection. Considering it moves us closer to understanding our historical experience.