Christus met Antiquitas en Novitas 1640 - 1680

This print by Cornelis Galle I, made in Antwerp around 1680, presents a theological frontispiece that encapsulates the cultural tensions of its time. Galle, working amidst the Counter-Reformation, employs a visual language steeped in religious symbolism and classical allegory. The print stages a dialogue between 'Antiquitas' and 'Novitas' — the old and the new — framing Christ as a figure embodying both tradition and renewal. 'Antiquitas', holding texts, stands alongside ‘Novitas’, also with texts, symbolizing the ongoing negotiation between established doctrines and emergent interpretations. It reflects the debates within the church and society, navigating the complexities of faith and reason in a changing world. The emotional and intellectual weight of this negotiation is palpable. Galle’s composition invites us to consider the personal dimensions of faith, caught between the weight of history and the promise of the future. The positioning of Christ above all speaks to the overarching power of belief.