Zondvloed 1666 - 1711

Louis de Deyster created this etching, entitled "Zondvloed," sometime in the late 17th or early 18th century, capturing a scene of chaos and desperation. The Deluge, or Great Flood, is a powerful symbol across cultures. This work encapsulates the social anxieties and spiritual beliefs prevalent in the Dutch Republic at the time. De Deyster's print invites us to consider the role of religion in society. In the Dutch Republic, the church and its teachings held considerable sway. The image depicts a world teetering on the brink of destruction and we can ask ourselves if it is self-consciously conservative or progressive. To fully understand this artwork, we might turn to period sermons, theological tracts, and even social histories of the Dutch Republic. Through these resources, we can better appreciate the ways in which art reflects and shapes the society in which it is created. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.