Het strijdperk van de Christelijke Ridder 1630 - 1650

This is an undated, unsigned print titled "Het strijdperk van de Christelijke Ridder," or "The Arena of the Christian Knight." We can imagine this piece emerging from a time of religious conflict, perhaps during or after the Reformation, as Europe was deeply divided along religious lines. The print presents a complex allegory of Christian virtues battling against worldly temptations and sins. Armored figures embody faith, hope, and charity, while opposing forces represent vices. It’s hard not to consider the intense cultural anxieties around morality and salvation that would lead someone to create this. The artist, though unknown to us, probably aimed to instruct and inspire viewers to embody Christian ideals.