Christus geeft het zwaard van het geloof / Man gaat door de smalle poort / Vrouw geeft haar hart aan God / Vrouwe Wereld en de duivel before 1767

This engraving by Cornelis van Noorde, made sometime in the 18th century, presents four scenes within a single frame, each a vignette of Christian allegory. The composition, with its clear lines and structured arrangement, invites us to consider how the narrative unfolds across these quadrants. Each scene is meticulously rendered, using the stark contrast of light and shadow to guide our eye. Notice how van Noorde employs line to define form and create depth, particularly in the landscapes and the figures’ drapery. These visual elements construct a semiotic system, where objects and gestures carry symbolic weight: the sword, the cross, the narrow gate, and the offered heart. They invite us to decipher the moral and spiritual lessons embedded within. Van Noorde uses the structure of the print to engage with ideas around salvation and morality. The arrangement of these scenes asks us to consider how each narrative element contributes to a larger discourse on faith, sacrifice, and the human condition. In its totality, this work is not merely a visual object but a structured argument about the pathways to spiritual fulfillment.