Dorstigen laven before 1571

Pieter Nagel created this image of a biblical scene, ‘Dorstigen laven,’ using engraving techniques. The print conveys more than just a narrative; it portrays a complex interplay of social roles and expectations. The act of offering water becomes a stage for observing the relationship between wealth, poverty, and the expected norms of hospitality. The central figures, the giver and receiver, embody societal expectations of charity and humility. The image is also populated with figures that highlight different facets of society, from the abundance of those feasting in the background to the laboring children in the foreground. The artist prompts us to consider how religious narratives are used to reinforce or question the prevailing social order, and invites us to reflect on the emotional weight of dependency, generosity, and human dignity.