Christus wekt de zoon van de weduwe te Naïn op 1593 - 1594

This is Jacob Matham’s engraving ‘Christ Raises the Son of the Widow of Nain,’ made around the late 16th or early 17th century. The composition is dominated by a play of light and shadow, where figures emerge dramatically from the shaded depths. Matham uses dense, parallel lines to sculpt forms, creating a rich, almost palpable texture. The lines aren't just descriptive; they build a structural foundation, directing your eye through the scene. The archway above the figures doesn't simply frame the event, but adds a layer of architectural complexity that integrates the sacred narrative into a broader cultural landscape. The careful arrangement of figures, from the grieving mother to the awestruck onlookers, serves as a semiotic system. Each character's pose and expression functions as a sign, contributing to the overall narrative of divine intervention. This engraving shows Matham’s technique and demonstrates how formal elements intersect with the spiritual themes of the time.