Doornenkroning van Christus 1648 - 1657

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut, “The Crowning with Thorns,” capturing a biblical scene during a time of significant religious and political upheaval. In this small but powerful image, we witness a convergence of power, faith, and suffering. Sichem’s choice to depict this scene is not merely a retelling of scripture; it’s an exploration of the vulnerability of the divine in the face of human cruelty. The image asks us to consider who holds power, and who is subject to it. Are we the crowd, complicit in the violence, or are we the figure at the center, bearing the weight of unjust treatment? Consider how the artist invites us to reflect on the relationship between spiritual conviction and bodily suffering, and how the narratives we inherit shape our understanding of justice.