Ahija og Jeroboams kone 1604

Jan Saenredam created this engraving of "Ahija og Jeroboams kone" during the late 16th or early 17th century, a period marked by religious and political upheaval in Europe. Here, the prophet Ahijah reveals divine judgement to Jeroboam's wife. This narrative, drawn from the Bible, speaks to the era’s fraught relationship between power, morality, and divine will. It is interesting to consider how the representation of women plays into the story; they are often portrayed as intermediaries or bearers of messages, yet denied agency. What does it mean to have your identity and actions defined by others, be it by religious doctrine, social expectations, or political agendas? In rendering this biblical scene, Saenredam engages with profound questions about faith, power, and the complexities of human existence. It invites us to reflect on our own roles within the larger narratives that shape our lives and societies.