Peter og de øvrige apostle døber menigheden i Jerusalem 1572

"Peter og de øvrige apostle døber menigheden i Jerusalem" is a pen and brown ink drawing by Maarten van Heemskerck. Created in the 16th century, this piece emerges from a Europe grappling with religious reformation and the rise of humanism. Here, van Heemskerck visualizes a moment of spiritual transformation, the baptism, deeply embedded in the history of the early Christian church. Yet, it's impossible to ignore the era's social hierarchy reflected in the artist’s choices. Note the central placement and active role of male figures, while the women are often depicted as receivers of the sacrament. It’s a visual echo of a society where gender roles were strictly defined. The act of baptism, though, brings a leveling effect; it’s an embracing of faith that transcends earthly status. The vulnerability of the kneeling figures, being cleansed and reborn, resonates with the ever-present human desire for renewal. What do you feel when you look at the piece?