De mens vecht tegen zijn eigen soort 1563

Philips Galle created this engraving, “De mens vecht tegen zijn eigen soort,” sometime before his death in 1612. Galle lived through a tumultuous period marked by religious conflict, the Dutch Revolt, and the rise of humanism. This print reflects those themes, presenting a grim view of humanity. It depicts humans warring against each other, in contrast to animals who, according to the Latin and Dutch inscriptions below, do not fight amongst their own kind. The image suggests that humans are uniquely prone to violence and self-destruction. Galle's choice to depict near-naked men locked in combat, set against a landscape dotted with further fighting, evokes classical antiquity while serving as a stark commentary on contemporary society. Galle eschews traditional glorifications of war, instead offering a bleak reflection on human nature. The print serves as a reminder of the destructive potential inherent in humanity, inviting us to contemplate the cyclical nature of conflict and its enduring impact on both individuals and society.