Twee getuigen van God worden door een beest verslonden 1563 - 1574

Gerard van Groeningen created this 16th-century print, "Two Witnesses of God Devoured by a Beast," using engraving. The composition is strikingly divided. On the left, we see figures in classical robes positioned before an imposing, domed structure, contrasting sharply with the chaotic scene on the right. Here, a monstrous beast attacks figures against the backdrop of a collapsing cityscape. Van Groeningen employs a dense network of fine lines to articulate form and texture. This technique creates a dramatic contrast between light and shadow, intensifying the emotional impact of the scene. The linear precision emphasizes the chaotic violence, reflecting the religious and political anxieties of the time. The rigid architectural forms juxtaposed with the organic, writhing bodies of the figures invite us to consider how established orders can be disrupted by primal forces. This print serves not only as a narrative illustration but also as a commentary on the fragility of civilization in the face of irrationality and violence.