Paulus wordt gebeten door een adder 1679 - 1728

Abraham de Blois created this engraving, "Paulus wordt gebeten door een adder", sometime before his death in 1717. The composition is strikingly divided into zones of light and dark, immediately creating a sense of drama. Observe the detailed cross-hatching which defines each figure. The artist uses a semiotic system of light and shadow to convey not just form but also emotional states. Those in darkness appear fearful, while Paul, bathed in light, seems serene. The fire acts as a visual and thematic center, a focal point for both the physical action and the unfolding divine intervention. The lines of sight and gesture direct our attention, leading us to consider the themes of faith and salvation. The linear precision and ordered composition serve to underscore the theological message, reinforcing the idea of divine order prevailing over earthly chaos. This print invites us to explore the interplay between form and meaning, revealing how artistic techniques can communicate complex religious narratives.