Gillis van Breen: The narrow and wide road (1645)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

An engraving by the Dutch artist Gillis van Breen (1585-1662). This allegorical print shows a scene called 'the narrow and wide road'. This scene comes from the Sermon on the Mount of Jesus and is found in the gospel of Matthew 7:13-14:

13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

A couple is shown in the center who are deciding which road to take in their life. On their right is a wide path - it is an easy road and people are waling on roses. Many people are taking this road but at the end the gate of Hell awaits them. On the left side of the couple is a very narrow path. It is a difficult road to take and only few take it. Two people are shown on the road who are threatened by devils with cannons. At the end of the narrow road awaits Heaven. Engraving from 1646.