Abraham wast de voeten van de drie engelen 1586

Pieter van der Borcht the Elder created this engraving, "Abraham Washing the Feet of the Three Angels," in the late 16th century. During this time, the Netherlands was undergoing significant religious and political upheaval, deeply influencing artistic expression. Here we see a depiction of domesticity, but it’s not just any home; it’s the biblical patriarch Abraham’s. The scene is suffused with the era's focus on hospitality as a sacred duty. Borcht seems interested in the power dynamics at play. Abraham kneels, performing a task usually reserved for those of lower status. The act challenges social hierarchies by elevating humility and service. Interestingly, during the Reformation, images became potent tools for theological arguments. Borcht, working in this environment, perhaps uses this scene to comment on the true nature of piety. Is it adherence to ritual, or is it found in acts of kindness and welcome?