Aanbidding door de koningen 1581 - 1658

This is Christoffel van Sichem the Younger's woodcut, "Adoration of the Kings," made sometime in the early 17th century. Sichem was working in a Dutch Republic that was fiercely Protestant, yet still steeped in the visual traditions of the Catholic Church. Here, the three kings arrive bearing gifts to the newborn Christ, an event celebrated in the West as the Epiphany. But, let's consider this scene through a different lens: what does it mean for powerful, wealthy men to kneel before an infant born into poverty? The gifts they bring, often interpreted as symbols of kingship, divinity, and sacrifice, also speak to a complex intersection of power, faith, and material wealth. Consider the emotional and spiritual implications of this encounter, not just for the kings but for Mary, who stands as a powerful maternal figure, witnessing the arrival of these visitors. Sichem invites us to reflect on the profound impact of a single life on those in positions of authority and influence.