De strijd tussen goed en kwaad 1509 - 1553

Cornelis Anthonisz. created this print titled 'The Fight Between Good and Evil', using woodcut around 1530-1550 in the Netherlands. During the 16th century, the Protestant Reformation challenged the Catholic Church's authority. This print reflects the religious and social upheaval, visualizing the conflict between virtue and vice. Anthonisz's print portrays a chaotic scene where the seven virtues are attacked by the seven deadly sins, each labeled to clarify the allegory. What do you make of the gender dynamics in the print? Women are prominently featured among the crowd of sinners, while virtues are not gendered. It's a troubling portrayal that speaks to the gendered moral judgements of the time. The artist uses the print medium to disseminate his message widely, engaging with contemporary debates and moral teachings. The highly detailed woodcut reflects the intricate and often turbulent nature of the human struggle between good and evil. It prompts us to reflect on how societal values are formed and the roles we each play in upholding or challenging them.