Aanval op de toren van het geloof en de komst van de Antichrist 1590

This 16th-century print, "Attack on the Tower of Faith and the Arrival of the Antichrist," by Monogrammist PM, presents a densely packed visual narrative using the stark contrast of etching. The composition is dominated by a towering, rocky formation, the Tower of Faith, besieged by figures both human and demonic. Notice how the artist uses a complex interplay of lines to create a sense of depth and chaotic movement. This technique, known as Mannerism, is used to challenge the established Renaissance ideals of balance and harmony. The tower, riddled with figures clinging to its sides, symbolizes the Church under siege. A beam of light pierces through the clouds, perhaps representing divine intervention, yet it's countered by the forces of the Antichrist advancing from below. The etching technique itself—the sharp, unforgiving lines—reinforces the sense of conflict and instability. The work uses a semiotic system to challenge fixed meanings. What does this tell us about the crisis of faith during the Reformation? It leaves us to interpret the ongoing struggle between belief and doubt, order and chaos.