Cornelisz's symbolism was also conservative as well. He painted mostly sacred themes with traditional iconography in old and new combinations in response to an event, such as the Reformation. Some of his works such as "Christ as the Man of Sorrows" (1510) were used by biblical humanists and the Amsterdam oligarchy, who wanted to defend Catholic orthodoxy against the claims of early Reformers. The painting represented Roman Catholic beliefs in an easily understood format. Other paintings such as "The Nativity" (1512) and "Saul and the Witch of Endor" were visually similar to what the Catholic essays patrons were writing.