Arkivism
Allegory with the broad and narrow path
Public domain

Allegory with the broad and narrow path

Gillis van Breen · 1595 - 1605 · engraving; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

The personification of the World tries to seduce a young man to choose the broad way, an easy path where one walks on roses, but which leads to the hell's gate and thus death. On the right walks the narrow and difficult path with two children on it. Two people balance over a narrow bridge over the abyss. Before the bridge thistles and thorns. They are pelted by devils, but eventually end up in heaven. The young man leans towards the broad way, but an angel tries to persuade him to achieve the wreath of victory by choosing the narrow path. Below the image an explanatory verse in Latin and Dutch by Cornelis Schonaeus.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Credit lineAllegorie met het brede en smalle pad. 1595 - 1605. Gillis van Breen. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

Similar works