Verhalen uit het Oude en het Nieuwe Testament 17th century

This woodcut, "Verhalen uit het Oude en het Nieuwe Testament" by Hans Brosamer, presents four narrative scenes within a single, unified frame. The compositional arrangement immediately draws us into a comparative reading of the images. Each scene, defined by its own internal logic and perspective, uses line and form to create a tapestry of human action and religious symbolism. The architectural and natural elements are rendered with precision, yet the figures, with their pronounced gestures, dominate the narrative. Brosamer employs color sparingly, strategically highlighting certain figures and objects, thus drawing attention to their symbolic importance. The scenes create a dialogue between the temporal and the spiritual realms, inviting us to decode the relationships and meanings embedded within. Note the use of framing in each scene, where architecture and landscape serve as both setting and symbolic boundary. This technique functions to isolate and elevate each narrative, while contributing to the overall semiotic structure of the work. Through its formal arrangements, this print explores the relationship between text, image, and belief in Reformation-era Europe, reminding us that art often serves as a site of cultural negotiation and exchange.