Book Title: Spiegel van het menselyk bedrijf : in kleuren vertoond met honderd verbeeldingen, van ambachten, konsten, hanteeringen en bedryven, met verzen / Jan en Kasper Luiken.

Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712

Image Title: The Coppersmith: When it’s ready, It will be the end of the struggle

Scripture Reference:

• 2 Corinthians 4 (further images / scripture text)

Description: The coppersmith sits on a stool and is about to strike a large cylinder with his hammer; pots, pans, and kettles are on the floor or on shelves in his workshop. Outside, two assistants work on a huge copper cauldron. The Dutch artist and poet, Jan Luiken (1649-1712), was responsible for drawing this emblem and for creating the motto and poem that follow. Jan Luiken and/or his son Casper Luiken (1672-1708) were responsible for its etching. The attendant scripture text is 2 Corinthians 4:8-11. Motto: When it’s ready, / It will be the end of the struggle. Poem: Many strokes have to fall, /Before the piece of work achieves its form: /So the hammer strikes the pious, /With adversity, so that/The eternal human soul’s vessel/Might achieve a proper shape. (Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker).

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