Laatste oordeel c. 1577 - 1578

"Laatste oordeel" (Last Judgment), an etching by Hendrick Goltzius, depicts a scene of divine judgment. The composition is dense and dramatic, featuring a multitude of figures in a chaotic yet ordered arrangement. The central focus is a kneeling woman, symbolizing humanity's vulnerability before the divine, with a skeletal figure representing death lying nearby. Above, God, surrounded by angels and saints, sits in judgment, dispensing justice. Goltzius's mastery of the etching technique is evident in the fine detail and expressive lines, showcasing the emotional weight of this biblical event. This artwork, created in the late 16th century, exemplifies Goltzius's characteristic approach to art, combining religious subject matter with a sophisticated style influenced by the Italian Renaissance.