Christus predikt in de tempel c. 1550 - 1599

Isaac Duchemin created this print, Christus predikt in de tempel, using engraving. The image depicts Jesus, identifiable by his halo, preaching in a temple, surrounded by figures representing various reactions to his words. The setting, architecture, and clothing provide us with clues to understanding the social and cultural milieu in which this image was produced. This print was made during a period of religious and intellectual upheaval in Europe. The rise of Protestantism challenged the authority of the Catholic Church. Visual codes here are related to the religious institutions of the day. The artist uses classical architecture to suggest a grand and imposing space while also presenting a contemporary city right outside the door. Art historians like myself use archival sources, religious texts, and studies of social history to better understand the relationship between religious imagery and its viewers. Art like this served a didactic function, communicating religious ideas to a wider audience and reinforcing particular beliefs.