Jona voorspelt de ondergang van Nineve 1566 - 1579

Philips Galle created this engraving, “Jona voorspelt de ondergang van Nineve”, sometime in the 16th century. Galle was working during the Northern Renaissance, a period marked by a renewed interest in classical antiquity, yet still deeply shaped by Christian theology. Here, we see the prophet Jonah delivering his warning to the city of Nineveh, a story of divine judgement and repentance. Consider the image of collective mourning – people and animals kneeling, heads bowed. Galle captures a moment of profound emotional intensity, but it’s also a depiction of power and submission. Think about how fear can be a tool for social control. The kneeling figures embody humility, but also perhaps, a coerced obedience. Galle’s work invites us to reflect on how fear, faith, and power intersect, shaping not just individual lives but the course of societies. It reminds us that even in the face of divine wrath, human agency and collective action can alter the predicted course.