Engel en kind met kompas 1590 - 1624

Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert created this print, "Engel en kind met kompas" – or Angel and Child with Compass – using engraving techniques. Bolswert lived during a period of significant religious and scientific change in Europe. This work reflects the intersection of faith and reason during that time. The angel and child suggest themes of innocence, guidance, and divine presence, deeply rooted in Christian iconography. Yet the compass, a symbol of exploration and scientific discovery, introduces a tension: How do faith and reason reconcile? How do we find direction in the world? The relationship between the figures is charged. Is the angel guiding the child? Are they equals? Bolswert challenges viewers to consider their own journeys of faith and knowledge, and how they inform each other. The emotional depth of the piece lies in its ability to evoke both comfort and contemplation.