Engel met masker en bliksemschicht maakt kind bang 1628

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut, "Angel with Mask and Lightning Scaring a Child," sometime before his death in 1658. During the Baroque era, the intersection of religion and daily life meant that many were taught to fear divine retribution. Here, Sichem powerfully visualizes the fear of God. Instead of a benevolent figure, the angel has a frightening, mask-like face and wields lightning bolts. This menacing figure descends upon a child who cowers, overwhelmed by a sense of their own vulnerability. The dramatic sky and stark contrast between light and shadow amplify the scene's emotional intensity. Sichem uses the angel to convey the all-powerful and sometimes wrathful nature of the divine. This image reflects a society grappling with questions of faith, morality, and the human condition amidst the backdrop of religious and political upheaval. Sichem captures a raw, human emotion. The woodcut serves as a reminder of the psychological power that religious imagery held.