Christus bij Maria en Martha 1590 - 1633

This is Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert’s engraving, "Christus bij Maria en Martha". The scene bursts with symbolic tension, highlighting two paths to devotion. Martha embodies the active life, her arms outstretched amidst the bounty of earthly provisions. Consider her gesture, akin to the classical "Melancholia," weighed down by earthly concerns, mirroring the psychological burden of responsibility. Mary, seated and serene, embodies the contemplative life, reminiscent of depictions of the contemplative Sibyls. Such imagery is deeply rooted in the psyche, echoing through diverse epochs. Recall the active and contemplative lives as portrayed in medieval allegories, where earthly endeavors vie with spiritual reflection. This dichotomy, endlessly reconfigured across time, resonates with our own internal struggles. The choice between action and contemplation, echoes through the corridors of the human spirit, a timeless motif.