Een vliegende engel in gevecht met de duivel in de gedaante van een slang 1813

Joannes Bemme created this drawing of an angel battling a snake in the early 19th century. Its themes connect to a much wider history of religious imagery. Here, an angel grapples with a serpent, a clear visual code for the struggle between good and evil. Referencing the Bible’s Book of Revelation, the scene echoes a narrative deeply embedded in Christian doctrine. Made in the Netherlands during a time of social and political upheaval following the Napoleonic Wars, the image resonates with the conservative religious revival that sought to restore traditional values and social hierarchies. Institutions such as the church played a crucial role in propagating these values, using art to reinforce moral teachings and social norms. To fully grasp its meaning, historical research into the religious climate of the time is essential. Understanding the painting involves acknowledging art’s power to both reflect and shape social attitudes.