Geloof (Fides) 1539

Sebald Beham created this tiny engraving, “Geloof (Fides),” meaning faith, at a time of religious reformation and conflict. Beham, working in 16th century Germany, navigated the seismic shifts in religious doctrine that divided communities and challenged long-held beliefs. The figure of Faith is presented as a winged woman, a divine messenger, but her heavy-lidded eyes and weary expression hint at the struggles of the faithful. She stands triumphant over a snake, symbolizing the defeat of evil, but the serpent seems to writhe still. She carries symbols such as a chalice, a cross and the ten commandments. Her androgynous presentation challenges conventional gender norms of the period. Beham was briefly exiled from Nuremberg for his radical views, and so his work often reflects the anxieties of a society in transition. This engraving encapsulates the tension between unwavering belief and the questioning spirit of the Renaissance, inviting us to consider the emotional weight of faith in times of uncertainty.