Petrus protesteert als Christus zijn voeten wast 1535

This engraving, "Petrus protesteert als Christus zijn voeten wast", was crafted by Georg Pencz around the mid-16th century and is currently held in the Rijksmuseum. The composition is a dense arrangement of figures caught in moments of varied expression, rendered in a monochrome palette through delicate linework. Pencz masterfully uses hatching and cross-hatching to define forms, create depth, and convey a sense of texture in the fabric and skin. The artwork’s structure prompts a closer look at the interplay between the figures, exploring how Pencz challenges conventional hierarchies of the sacred and the mundane. This piece destabilizes established values by depicting a moment of protest, suggesting a dialogue between human will and divine action. Consider, as you contemplate this engraving, that its meaning is not fixed, but continues to evolve with each viewing.