Koning Josia verwoest de tempels van Astarte, Kemos en Milkom 1567 - 1579

Philips Galle created this engraving, "Koning Josia verwoest de tempels van Astarte, Kemos en Milkom," around the late 16th century. The composition is a dynamic scene filled with figures demolishing temples, set against a backdrop of classical architecture. Galle masterfully uses line to create a sense of depth and movement. The converging lines of the architectural elements draw the eye into the scene, while the active poses of the figures suggest a moment of intense action. The contrast between the solid forms of the statues and the dynamic poses of the figures creates a visual tension, destabilizing the traditional reverence for religious icons. The architectural setting, with its columns and arches, provides a framework for the iconoclasm, suggesting a transition from one order to another. The destruction depicted here can be seen as more than just a religious event; it is a symbolic act of dismantling old structures of power and belief. The engraving, with its carefully constructed composition and dynamic figures, invites us to reflect on the nature of change and the destruction of established values.