Elia slaat met zijn mantel op het water en scheidt het water van de Jordaan 1579

This is an engraving of “Elia striking the water with his cloak and separating the water of the Jordan” by an anonymous artist. Here, we see the prophet Elijah performing a miracle, splitting the river Jordan with his cloak, a scene rich with religious and symbolic weight. The image creates meaning through its visual codes: the dramatic gesture of Elijah, the awe-struck expressions of the figures around him, and the parted waters, all point to divine intervention. Given its subject matter, this piece was likely produced in a European context with strong ties to Christian religious imagery. The act of depicting biblical scenes served a didactic function, reinforcing religious teachings and moral values within the community. Art historians look at the symbolic and cultural context of such images. By examining religious texts, social histories, and the records of artistic institutions, the historian can offer a richer understanding of its meaning and purpose in its own time.