Toren van Babel 1569

"Toren van Babel" (Tower of Babel) is a 1569 engraving by Flemish artist Philips Galle. It depicts the biblical story of the Tower of Babel, where humans attempted to build a tower reaching heaven, a project that was ultimately foiled by God. The engraving's detailed depiction of the tower's construction, with its intricate architecture and numerous figures, highlights the ambition and hubris of mankind. Galle's work is a powerful reminder of the limits of human power and the importance of divine authority. This engraving, which is now part of the Rijksmuseum collection, is a prime example of 16th-century Northern Renaissance printmaking.