The Separation of the Sheep from the Goats - Adriaen Collaert

A detailed Flemish engraving depicting the biblical Last Judgement, featuring the separation of the sheep from the goats with hand-coloured accents.

This engraving by Adriaen Collaert depicts the biblical scene of the Last Judgement, specifically the separation of the sheep from the goats as described in the Gospel of Matthew. The composition is divided into two distinct realms. In the upper register, Christ sits in judgement upon a globe, surrounded by a celestial assembly of figures amidst clouds. Below this divine presence, the terrestrial scene unfolds with an angel acting as the intermediary, directing the movement of the animals.

The lower portion of the print shows a clear division of the creatures. To the left, the sheep are gathered in a peaceful grouping, while to the right, the goats are driven toward a fiery background, symbolising the separation of the righteous from the condemned. The figures are rendered with the elongated proportions and dynamic poses characteristic of Northern Mannerism. The use of line is precise, typical of the Flemish school of engraving, which allowed for the inclusion of small, narrative details across the entire surface.

Collaert, a member of a prominent family of engravers and publishers in Antwerp, produced this work during a period when religious imagery was highly sought after for devotional texts and illustrated bibles. The print includes Latin and French inscriptions at the base, which serve to identify the subject matter for the viewer. The hand-applied colour adds a layer of visual interest to the original monochrome engraving, highlighting the contrast between the celestial light above and the darker, more chaotic elements of the lower scene. This work provides a window into the visual culture of the late sixteenth century, where complex theological concepts were translated into accessible, highly detailed graphic art for a broad audience.