Embleem met man die leert dat hij met goede werken God behaagt 1620

Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert created this print, "Embleem met man die leert dat hij met goede werken God behaagt", using engraving techniques. This visually rich emblem presents a world rigidly divided between salvation and damnation, reflecting the religious and social anxieties of its time. Note how the kneeling man is guided by an angel toward salvation, while a devil whispers temptations. Around them, figures engage in acts of piety and wickedness, each path leading to dramatically different outcomes in the afterlife. Bolswert’s detailed rendering invites us to consider the emotional weight of moral choices. The contrast between the serene heavens and the chaotic, fiery hellscape emphasizes the stakes of spiritual life. How does the artwork reinforce or challenge traditional ideas about sin and redemption? Consider how the artist's choices reflect a society grappling with questions of faith, morality, and the individual's place in the cosmos.