God én de mammon dienen gaat niet 1593

This engraving by Wierix, made around the turn of the 17th century, is a study in contrasts, bisected vertically to present opposing ideals: God and Mammon. The composition is stark. On the left, a man labors amidst earthly possessions, delineated with meticulous detail. His space is confined, overshadowed by shelves laden with material wealth, creating a sense of claustrophobia. In contrast, the right side opens into a landscape where a pious figure directs his gaze upward. The landscape unfolds with birds in flight and flowering meadows symbolizing divine providence. The engraving leverages a visual semiotics where symbols function as signs. The earthly goods on one side signify temporal concerns, while the natural, open landscape on the other, spiritual freedom. Wierix destabilizes the singular pursuit of wealth, positioning it against a broader, more spiritually enriching existence. The line becomes not just a boundary, but a threshold questioning our values and the very structure of our desires.