Verkondiging aan de herders 1629 - 1740

This is "Verkondiging aan de herders" by Christoffel van Sichem II, made with woodcut. The composition is split into two distinct zones. Below, the earthly realm is populated with shepherds and livestock, rendered with tight, cross-hatched lines that give form to figures and objects. Above, a celestial sphere bursts forth with angels, their forms rendered with looser, more dynamic lines. The stark contrast between these zones creates a visual tension. The compact, almost claustrophobic rendering of the earthly scene contrasts sharply with the open, ethereal quality of the celestial one, destabilizing any easy reading of space. Note how Sichem uses the density and direction of the lines to delineate forms and suggest movement, effectively conveying both the material weight of the earthly figures and the otherworldly quality of the angels. The woodcut technique itself – with its capacity for bold contrasts and intricate detail – amplifies the thematic content of divine revelation. The interplay between light and shadow serves not just to illustrate a scene but to evoke a sense of the sublime.