Heilige Mozes van Libië after 1636

This print, titled "Heilige Mozes van Libië," was made by Frederick Bloemaert, around the mid-17th century. It's rendered in etching, a printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate, and then inked and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you'll see how the etched lines define the image: the figure’s robe, the thatched roof of the building, even the texture of the earth he's digging. The process itself emphasizes the dignity of labor, a core theme here, as St. Moses of Libya was a former slave and bandit, who turned to a life of asceticism. Bloemaert elevates this narrative by showing Moses engaged in the very act of physical labor, a kind of penance. The rough texture, the stark contrast, and the laborious process of etching all underscore the transformative power of work, making it a central element of spiritual redemption. It reminds us that even in art, the process shapes the message.