Terugkeer van de inwoners van Jeruzalem uit ballingschap c. 1645 - 1740

This etching, titled "Return of the Inhabitants of Jerusalem from Exile," was made by Christoffel van Sichem II. The image is dominated by strong contrasts between light and shadow, which carves out the forms of the figures and architecture. Sichem creates a sense of depth through the use of linear perspective, guiding our eye toward the city in the background. The composition is structured to lead the eye from the foreground, where we see detailed brickwork, to the procession of figures moving towards the city, and finally to the distant architectural structures. This structured approach mirrors the ordered return of a community, imposing a sense of control and intentionality on a potentially chaotic scene of resettlement. Sichem uses a series of signs, such as the figures' clothing and the city's architecture, to convey cultural and religious narratives. The detailed lines and textures of the etching invite viewers to consider the formal elements, prompting reflection on the themes of displacement, return, and societal order.