Christus en zijn bruid onder een appelboom 1590

Johann Sadeler I created this engraving, *Christ and his Bride under an Apple Tree*, sometime in the late 16th century. It reflects the religious and social mores of the time. This piece presents a vision of marriage as both a sacred and societal construct. Here, the bride is adorned and submissive, which reflects the era's expectations of women. The presence of religious figures suggests a divine endorsement of marriage. Yet the bride is also given civic authority, which shows how marriage was used to structure society. The apple tree could symbolize knowledge, temptation, or fertility. It underscores the complex layers of meaning embedded in marriage, linking personal choices to broader societal and religious ideals. In Sadeler's time, marriage served as a cornerstone of social order, and this piece beautifully illustrates the intertwined roles of individuals, religion, and state. It is a complex image that captures the hopes, anxieties, and power dynamics inherent in the institution of marriage.