A detailed hand-coloured engraving by Hans Collaert the Elder, depicting the biblical flight of Lot from the destruction of Sodom.

This hand-coloured engraving by Hans Collaert the Elder depicts the biblical narrative of Lot and his family fleeing the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The composition follows the conventions of sixteenth-century Flemish printmaking, where figures are arranged in a clear, linear progression across the foreground. Lot, identified by his aged appearance and flowing robes, is guided by angelic figures. The background provides a stark contrast, showing the burning cities under a dark, smoke-filled sky, while the figure of Lot's wife, already transformed into a pillar of salt, stands in the middle distance as a warning against looking back.

Collaert, a member of a prominent family of engravers based in Antwerp, demonstrates a high level of technical precision in his line work. The engraving is enhanced by the application of colour, which helps to define the drapery of the garments and the atmospheric conditions of the burning plain. The inclusion of Latin text at the base of the image, alongside handwritten French commentary, suggests this print originated from a larger devotional or educational volume. Such works were common in the period, intended to provide visual aids for the study of scripture. The figures exhibit the elongated proportions and graceful, mannered poses typical of the late Northern Renaissance. The print serves as a record of the period's interest in moralising narratives, combining classical artistic training with religious instruction. The attention to detail, from the textures of the clothing to the distant flames, reflects the meticulous nature of the Antwerp print workshops during the sixteenth century.