Embleem met man op de weg naar het eeuwige leven die wordt blootgesteld aan verzoekingen van de duivel 1620

Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert created this small, intricate emblem, titled 'Emblem with a man on the road to eternal life who is exposed to the temptations of the devil', at an unknown date and with unknown means. The image, brimming with symbolism typical of its time, navigates the complex relationship between morality, temptation, and salvation. A man, presumably representing humanity, stands at a crossroads, besieged by temptations and shadowed by the ever-present devil. The piece speaks to the anxieties and moral debates prevalent in a society deeply rooted in religious doctrine. The stark contrast between the path to earthly indulgence and the ascent to eternal life underscores the period's intense focus on spiritual rectitude. The scene is rich with allegorical figures, each embodying different facets of human desire and spiritual struggle. This emblem is less a depiction of a literal journey and more a map of the internal battle for the soul, a theme deeply embedded in the cultural and personal consciousness of the time. Ultimately, this emblem challenges us to reflect on our own journeys, the temptations we face, and the values that guide our path.