Vier uitersten 1582 - 1613

Pieter van der Borcht created this print, titled 'Vier uitersten', sometime between 1545 and 1608. It's an engraving that visualizes a prophecy, blending celestial events with earthly scenes of both teaching and turmoil. The image is divided, one side reflecting spiritual enlightenment, the other, societal upheaval. This division speaks to the dual existence of the self in the world. During van der Borcht's time, the anxieties of religious conflict were palpable, especially in the Netherlands. You see this anxiety materialize in the chaos depicted on the right, perhaps mirroring the tensions of the Reformation. Consider how van der Borcht uses light and shadow, 'Lux inter Tenebras', to guide your eye and your emotional response. The contrast isn't just visual; it's a commentary on the precarious balance between faith and the tribulations of earthly life, a balance that continues to resonate.