Christ before Annas c. 1480

Israhel van Meckenem made this engraving of Christ before Annas in the late fifteenth century. The print depicts a biblical scene of religious and political tension, which the artist uses to examine questions of power, justice, and institutional authority. Meckenem was a prolific printmaker in Germany and he renders the scene with careful attention to detail. The composition places Annas on an elevated throne, emphasizing his authority. Christ is shown as a submissive figure being physically assaulted, highlighting his vulnerability. The artist's use of line and shadow creates a dramatic contrast between the powerful figures and the defenseless Christ. Annas represents the established religious order of the time, while Christ embodies a challenge to that order. How might the original audience have perceived this challenge to institutional power? What kinds of theological and legal texts might have been influential in shaping the public role of art? These are the kinds of questions that art historians ask in order to contextualize works of art.