De Israëlieten steken de Jordaan over met de Ark des Verbonds 1607

Sisto Badalocchio created this etching, "The Israelites Crossing the Jordan with the Ark of the Covenant," sometime between 1585 and 1619. The scene's structure is built around a contrast between the dynamic forward movement of the Israelites and the static, almost architectural presence of the Ark. Notice how Badalocchio uses tightly packed figures and strong diagonal lines to create a sense of forward momentum. This contrasts with the Ark, depicted as a solid, rectangular form carried by figures in simple, vertical robes. The Ark isn't just an object; it’s a sign, a symbol of divine law and order amidst the flux of human experience. The etching technique itself, with its dense cross-hatching, adds to the feeling of a world in motion, a world where meaning isn't fixed but is constantly negotiated. Consider how Badalocchio uses line and form to present a story not just of crossing a river, but of crossing from one state of being to another, guided by the symbolic weight of their beliefs.