Spotprent op de wanhopende pater Peters, 1689 1689 - 1690

This etching, titled "Spotprent op de wanhopende pater Peters", depicts the despair of Father Peters. Created in 1689-90 by an anonymous artist, the work showcases Father Peters in a state of distress, his head in his hands, surrounded by demons. The imagery suggests a stark contrast between heaven and hell, with an angelic figure ascending above, while Father Peters is surrounded by darkness and temptation. The detail of Father Peters clutching a rosary highlights his struggle with faith, reflecting the anxieties of the time. The inscription below underscores the moral of the piece, suggesting that true repentance is rare and that delayed remorse is rarely sincere. This artwork, a testament to the anxieties of the era, uses symbolic imagery to portray a powerful moral lesson.