A Protestant propaganda print

This Dutch print, probably dating from the early 18th century, claims the superiority of Protestantism over Catholicism.

God is symbolized by a triangle (a reference to the Trinity) on which the engraver, unfamiliar with Hebrew (they mistook one letter for another), wanted to write the Hebrew name of God: YHWH. The hand of God is holding the scales   of judgment.

In the heavier pan, there are two great reformers, Luther and Calvin, reading the Bible—the unique authoritative source for Protestants.

The horse is an allusion to this statement by Luther: "The human will, when placed between God and Satan, is like a horse." The will of the reformers, guided by the Bible, is like a horse ridden by God.

On the other panel, the Catholic Church is symbolized by a monk (with his tonsure), a pope (with his tiara), and a Jesuit (with his cap called biretta).

They aren't holding the Bible, but a missal and an indulgence (aflaat in Dutch). The scandal of the sale of these forgiveness certificates had triggered the Protestant Reformation.

The devil is on the side of the Catholic Church, but despite all his efforts, he is no match for the Word of God and its believers.

In the background is a round building with no Christian symbols on it. This could allude to the Pantheon of Rome, the temple of paganism of which the Church of Rome is descended.

On the Protestant side, a Christian church (topped by a cross) that can be reached by a steep path, is an allusion to Jesus' statement: "Broad is the way that leads to destruction, and narrow is the way which leads to life."

À  voir : Une autre version de la gravure sans le petit cheval.
À  lire : Une étude sur le motif polémique de la balance (aller à la page 275)