Art Institute of Chicago

Allegory on the Good and the Corrupt Tree

Gillis van Breen (Dutch, active 1588-1622)

Date

c. 1600

Medium

Engraving in black on cream laid paper

Culture

Netherlands

Department

Prints and Drawings

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The contrasting couples in this composition are meant to demonstrate virtuous and sinful love. On the right, a couple in luxurious fabrics embraces, sitting next to a tree rooted in a blackened heart and skull and with monstrous creatures on its thorny branches. To the left stand a man and woman clothed in light robes and holding hands beside a flowering tree, which sprouts from a white heart above the word “Christ.” The inscription reinforces the idea that spiritual love leads to salvation, whereas earthly desire leads to damnation. This print was engraved by Dutch artist Gillis van Breen after a design by Karel van Mander, another artist who belonged to the same social circle.

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