Bergrede 1629

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut print titled 'Bergrede' around 1600. The composition is striking, divided into distinct registers. At the bottom, we see Christ seated, surrounded by his disciples, a scene rendered with meticulous detail through fine, closely spaced lines. Above this earthly gathering, a celestial realm unfolds, depicted through a series of circular vignettes floating on clouds. Sichem employs line to delineate form and texture, creating a rich interplay of light and shadow. The arrangement into two distinct visual fields suggests a structural dichotomy, with Christ's teachings positioned between the earthly and the divine, creating a visual hierarchy that invites contemplation on the relationship between the physical and the spiritual. The print challenges fixed meanings by inviting viewers to consider not just the biblical narrative but also the broader implications of faith, morality, and divine connection.