Codde en Cock op de smalle en brede weg, 1705 1706 - 1707

Carel Allard created this etching, "Codde en Cock op de smalle en brede weg", in 1705. The print allegorically depicts the "narrow" and "broad" paths of life, a common theme in religious art, connecting to the wider cultural context of moral instruction in the Netherlands. The image creates meaning through its visual codes; the narrow path, symbolizing virtue, ascends steeply, while the broad path, representing vice, is wide and leads to damnation. Made during a time of significant religious and political tension, the artwork critiques the social structures of its time. The Dutch Republic, known for its mercantile power, also harbored strong Calvinist beliefs, making this moralizing imagery particularly relevant. Understanding this etching better involves researching Dutch religious history, exploring how theological debates influenced artistic production. The Rijksmuseum's collection provides invaluable resources for contextualizing Allard's work. By studying the social and institutional contexts, we recognize art's contingent nature, shaped by the forces of its time.