Christus als voorbeeld van deugdzaamheid by Hendrick Goltzius

In the center, Christ presents a mirror or frame reflecting his infant self to a kneeling woman at an engraver's bench, who carves the divine image into a large heart. The surrounding frame consists of complex medallions illustrating virtues such as Humility and Mercy, paired with symbols like the 'Sun of Justice,' the 'Fountain of Life,' and the 'Crown of Life.' A resting lamb and a box of engraving tools occupy the foreground, symbolizing the patient, diligent labor of spiritual transformation.

This print visually codifies the 'Imitatio Christi' (Imitation of Christ) tradition, common in both Catholic and Protestant pietism, which advocates for the internalizing of Christ’s character. The metaphor of engraving the soul mirrors Neoplatonic and Hermetic concepts regarding the 'character' or seal of the divine being impressed upon human consciousness through contemplative practice.

Inscriptions(Latin)

EXEMPLAR VIRTVTVM Ioã. 12. Sicut dixit mihi Fidelitas Pater sic loquor Baculus Dnī. Pfal. 22 Brachium Dei Efai. 40 MISERICORDIA Dixit ad illam, remittūtur tibi peccata Luc. 7. Episcopus animarum. 1. Pet. 2. HVMLITAS Et coepit lauare pedes discipulorum Ioã. 13. Manus Domini. Efai. 49. FORTITVDO Tunc reliquit eum diabolus. Matth. 4. PIETAS Et cum dimififet eos abijt in montē orare Marc. 6. Fons aquae vitae Apo. 21. BENIGNITAS Nec ego te condemnabo Ioan. 8. Sol Justitiae. Mal. 4. CHARITAS Quoties volui cōgregare filios tuos -- et noluisti. Matth. 23. PAVPERTAS Vulpes foueas habet, et volucres celi nidos: filius autē hōis no habet ubi caput reclinet. Matth. 8. Corona vite Jacob. 1 Angusta porta. Matt. 7. Ephes. 5 Estote ergo imitatores Dei: ficut filij charifs: Discite a me quia mitis sum et humilis corde: et inuenietis requiem animabus vestris. Matth. 11. In hoc cognouimus charitatem Dei, quoniam ille animam suam pro nobis posuit: et nos debemus pro fratribus aias ponere. 1 Joã. 3. Exēplū dedi vobis, vt quēadmodū ego feci vobis, ita faciatis et vos. Ioan. 13

Translation

EXAMPLE OF VIRTUES
John 12. As the Father said to me, so I speak
The staff of the Lord. Ps. 22
The arm of God. Isaiah 40
MERCY
He said to her, thy sins are forgiven thee. Luke 7.
Bishop of souls. 1 Pet. 2.
HUMILITY
And he began to wash the disciples' feet. John 13.
The hand of the Lord. Isaiah 49.
FORTITUDE
Then the devil left him. Matt. 4.
PIETY
And when he had dismissed them, he went up into a mountain to pray. Mark 6.
Fountain of the water of life. Apoc. 21.
KINDNESS
Neither will I condemn thee. John 8.
Sun of Justice. Mal. 4.
CHARITY
How often would I have gathered together thy children -- and thou wouldst not. Matt. 23.
POVERTY
The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests: but the son of man hath not where to lay his head. Matt. 8.
Crown of life. James 1.
Narrow gate. Matt. 7.
Ephes. 5 Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children:
Learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. Matt. 11. In this we have known the charity of God, because he hath laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 1 John 3. I have given you an example, that as I have done to you, so you do also. John 13.

Christus als voorbeeld van deugdzaamheid

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