Daniël strooit as op de tempelvloer 1565 - 1579

Philips Galle made this engraving, Daniël strooit as op de tempelvloer, at the end of the 16th century in the Netherlands. It illustrates a story from the Book of Daniel, where Daniel exposes the trickery of pagan priests. The image is rich with cultural references. In the left scene, Daniel scatters ashes on the temple floor, revealing the footprints of priests who secretly consumed the offerings to their god, Baal. The right scene shows the exposure of the priests to the king. Galle's work reflects the religious tensions of his time, between the reformation and the counter-reformation. Galle's choice to depict this particular scene suggests a commentary on religious authority and the exposure of hypocrisy. The print medium allowed for wide distribution of such critiques, influencing public opinion in a time of religious and political upheaval. Art historians examine these prints alongside religious texts and political pamphlets to fully understand their impact. Examining the patronage and intended audience can further reveal the social function of Galle's art.