Vernietiging van de mensheid door de zondvloed 1586

Johann Sadeler I created this engraving, "Destruction of Mankind by the Flood", in the late 16th century. Sadeler was working in a Europe deeply shaped by religious reform and conflict, a context that informs this dramatic depiction of divine retribution. The image powerfully conveys a sense of chaos. The waves are filled with desperate figures—humans and animals alike—struggling against a force far greater than themselves. In the background, Noah's Ark offers the only sanctuary from the devastation, and becomes a symbol of salvation. Sadeler was part of a society grappling with questions of morality, sin, and divine judgment. How do we understand human suffering? Who is worthy of salvation? The flood narrative is a powerful reminder of the precariousness of existence and the potential consequences of human actions. The emotional intensity of this piece speaks to our enduring fascination with themes of destruction, renewal, and the search for hope amidst despair.