Abraham trekt naar Kanaän 1555

Cornelis Bos created this small engraving called 'Abraham trekt naar Kanaän' around 1545-1550. During the 16th century, the Protestant Reformation swept through Europe, challenging the authority of the Catholic Church and reshaping religious and cultural landscapes. Bos, working amidst this religious upheaval, depicts Abraham's journey to Canaan, a story of faith and obedience. However, the image goes beyond a simple biblical illustration. Look closely at the figures: men, women, and children, each rendered with nuanced expression. The women, in particular, stand tall, perhaps reflecting the changing roles and agency of women during the Reformation. God appears in the upper right corner, blessing the journey. The emotional weight of leaving one's homeland is palpable. Bos invites us to reflect on the intersection of faith, family, and the search for a new homeland. The print underscores how stories of migration have been fundamental to questions of identity and belonging across time.