Habakkuk bringer mad til Daniel i løvekulen 1565

Philips Galle made this engraving, Habakkuk bringer mad til Daniel i løvekulen, at the end of the 16th century. It depicts a scene from the Old Testament where the prophet Daniel is saved by divine intervention from being devoured by lions. The image creates meaning through a combination of visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. Galle was working in the Netherlands. This was a time when the Dutch were struggling for independence from Spain, and religious conflict was pervasive. The story of Daniel, who remained faithful to God despite persecution, would have resonated with the Dutch Protestants. The engraving's style is highly influenced by Italian Renaissance art, which was fashionable at the time in the Netherlands. The art market, which was beginning to emerge in the Netherlands during this period, further cemented the status and canon. To understand this artwork better, one could research the history of the Dutch Reformation, the development of the art market in the Netherlands, and the influence of Italian Renaissance art on Dutch art.