Engel rent met fakkel en sleept kind mee aan touw 1590 - 1624

This print, “Engel rent met fakkel en sleept kind mee aan touw,” was created by Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert and is now held in the Rijksmuseum. The scene, rendered with precise lines, plunges us into a dense forest. The light emanating from the angel’s torch casts dramatic shadows, heightening the contrast and lending a sense of urgency to the composition. Observe how Bolswert uses line to define not just the figures but also the texture of the foliage, creating a dynamic interplay between light and shadow. The angel’s forceful movement contrasts starkly with the child being dragged. This juxtaposition raises questions about power and submission, prompting us to consider the underlying structures of control and coercion within the image. The torch, a traditional symbol of enlightenment, here seems to illuminate not clarity but rather a scene of ambiguous struggle. Consider how the formal elements—the dynamic lines, the contrasting light, and the unsettling composition—converge to challenge simple interpretations and invite ongoing reflection.