Christ Healing the Sick c. 1576 - 1580

Léonard Gaultier created this engraving, titled *Christ Healing the Sick*, during a period marked by religious conflict and reform in Europe. The image depicts Christ as a beacon of hope amidst suffering, a common theme in religious art of the time. Consider the historical context: Gaultier, working during the Counter-Reformation, would have been keenly aware of the power of images to convey religious messages and reinforce faith. The figures surrounding Christ, with their varied expressions and postures, suggest a community in need of solace and healing. Gender and class are subtly present, consider the ways the sick and the poor are positioned to emphasize their vulnerability. This image isn't just a depiction of a biblical story, it reflects the social and spiritual anxieties of its time. It serves as a reminder of art's capacity to offer comfort, and to speak to the emotional and material needs of its viewers.