Christus op de Olijfberg 1522

This is an anonymous print of Christ on the Mount of Olives. It's a small image, made using engraving. The scene depicts Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion. This was a pivotal moment in Christian theology, laden with ideas about sacrifice, obedience, and divine will. In the engraving, the artist captures not only the religious significance, but also the intense emotional and psychological dimensions of the story. Prints like this were often produced in multiples, circulating widely and shaping popular understanding of biblical narratives. By studying the visual codes, such as the halo above Christ, and historical context, including the role of the church as a patron, we can better understand how religious narratives were disseminated and consumed in their time. Analyzing such prints involves archival research, studying the artist's influences, and understanding the social and institutional forces that shaped its creation and reception. This approach helps us to see the artwork not just as an aesthetic object, but as a product of its time, reflecting and shaping the beliefs and values of its society.