Piëta 1616 - 1636

This etching, "Piëta" by Nicolaes Ryckmans, depicts the moment after Christ's crucifixion. The scene is dominated by the figure of Christ, his body limp and his face contorted in pain. He is held by Mary, the Virgin Mother, who mourns over him. Two other figures, likely Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, also appear, further emphasizing the solemn atmosphere of the scene. This etching is an example of the Baroque style, with its dramatic use of light and shadow and attention to emotional expression. The print, which is now part of the Rijksmuseum's collection, provides a compelling visual representation of a central theme in Christian art: the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.