Israëlieten beklagen zich bij Mozes 1645 - 1740

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut, titled "Israëlieten beklagen zich bij Mozes," at an unknown date. The image depicts a scene from the Book of Exodus, in which the Israelites complain to Moses. But it does so through the lens of the Dutch Golden Age. Van Sichem was working in a time of great religious and political upheaval, so this illustration isn't just a Bible story but also a commentary on the social structures of his own time. The artist uses the tale to explore themes of leadership, obedience, and the potential for dissent. How do we know this? Well, studying the cultural context of the Dutch Golden Age, including its religious debates and artistic conventions, is key. Also the institutional histories of Dutch art and printmaking at the time will give us insights. This helps us understand how the artist might have been using this biblical scene to comment on contemporary issues.