Melchisedek zegent Abraham te Salem Possibly 1679 - 1728

Abraham de Blois created this print, titled "Melchisedek zegent Abraham te Salem," sometime in the late 17th or early 18th century. During this time, the Dutch Republic was a center for religious interpretation and debate, and depictions of Old Testament scenes were common. Here, we see Melchizedek, King of Salem, blessing Abraham. Abraham bows his head in deference, surrounded by his armed men. Melchizedek extends his hand in benediction while a servant offers bread and wine, Eucharistic precursors. The print operates on multiple levels. It’s a religious scene but also a political one. Abraham's military might is apparent, yet he submits to Melchizedek's blessing, suggesting a divinely sanctioned social order. Consider the power dynamics at play: who has the authority to bless, to lead, to wage war? How might viewers at the time have interpreted this scene in relation to their own social hierarchies and beliefs about divine right? The print invites us to reflect on power, faith, and the narratives that shape our understanding of both.