Aedificare Super Arenam, from "Allegories of the Christian Faith, from Christian and Profane Allegories" 1575 - 1617

"Aedificare Super Arenam" is a powerful print by Hendrick Goltzius from his series "Allegories of the Christian Faith, from Christian and Profane Allegories." The scene depicts the fragility of building on sand as a metaphor for faith. The print shows a collapsing structure, with figures in the foreground struggling to maintain their footing as they are swept away by the surging waters. The figures represent those who build their lives on fleeting material things, while the collapsing building symbolizes the inevitable consequences of a foundation built on sand. Goltzius's use of intricate details and dynamic composition highlight the dramatic nature of this allegory. This engraving, dated between 1575 and 1617, serves as a visual reminder of the importance of building on solid ground, both in spiritual and material life.