Het Laatste Oordeel 1535 - 1587

Giovanni Battista Fontana created this engraving, "The Last Judgement," in the late 16th century. It's a powerful vision dominated by the stark contrast between salvation and damnation. Above, Christ sits in judgment, flanked by the saved, while below, the damned are dragged into the gaping maw of hell. The open mouth of hell, a motif of primal fear, echoes through art history, from medieval depictions of Leviathan to Bosch's nightmarish landscapes. It embodies the ultimate unknown, the fear of oblivion, and divine retribution. This image touches something deep within us, a collective memory of fear and consequence. Consider how this symbol evolves: from literal depictions to abstract representations of psychological torment. The emotional power remains undiminished, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. It resurfaces time and again, this cyclical progression, a testament to humanity's enduring fascination with morality and its consequences.