Vrouw knielt voor Christus / Verlangen naar God / Contemplatie in afzondering / Licht van Christus schijnt in de duisternis before 1767

This undated print, made by Cornelis van Noorde, sometime between 1731 and 1795, presents four scenes that explore religious devotion and the search for spiritual enlightenment. In a time of rigid social structures, these images portray an intense personal relationship with the divine. The kneeling woman in the first panel, her face pressed to the earth before Christ, embodies humility and supplication. The composition offers a narrative about the emotional journey toward faith and a sense of longing, enhanced by the solitude depicted in each panel. Each scene features the renunciation of worldly life, whether through isolated prayer, wandering, or contemplation. This print speaks to the complex interplay between personal piety, gendered expectations, and spiritual fulfillment. The artist invites us to consider the emotional and psychological dimensions of religious belief, and the ways in which individuals seek meaning and connection through faith.