Steniging van de ouderlingen 1645 - 1646

Curator: Let’s spend a moment with “The Stoning of the Elders” by Christoffel van Sichem II, created around 1645-1646. You can find it here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Wow, it's intense! The first impression is all about the density of lines; it creates a palpable feeling of unease, a darkness hanging over the scene. And what's that stark contrast in the figures’ clothing versus their raw physicality? Curator: Indeed. Sichem primarily worked with engravings. If we focus in, you see the texture meticulously carved onto the plate to convey emotion. It’s an amazing piece of craftsmanship when we think about the laborious process involved in printing in the 17th century. Editor: And it looks incredibly deliberate. Every mark, every shadow is part of building this narrative, you can almost hear the stones impacting! Though, when looking closely, I am curious to know if van Sichem may have felt some personal kinship with the figure—despite his tortuous state. Curator: It is interesting you picked up on that connection! There is a tension within. Sichem wasn’t illustrating this scene neutrally; his religious views undoubtedly coloured his artistic choices. This moment in history served not just religious expression, but it highlights labor practices. Editor: Absolutely! You get a tangible sense of not just the historical event, but also the sheer manpower necessary to create and circulate images at that time, especially given how emotionally impactful each plate would prove. To see labor distilled and turned to cruelty, and recreated with meticulous care. Curator: Well, considering that history, looking back at van Sichem’s work underscores a really thoughtful point regarding our own roles in shaping the narrative of history. Editor: Precisely. It compels one to confront and contemplate not just past acts, but the mechanisms that have immortalized them for further analysis.