Christus op de ezel, de paus te paard 1600 - 1624

Curator: This intriguing print, titled "Christus op de ezel, de paus te paard", which translates to "Christ on the Donkey, the Pope on Horseback," dates back to sometime between 1600 and 1624. It’s currently held here at the Rijksmuseum. Anonymous, sadly, is the only profile we have on its creator. What's your first impression? Editor: Well, besides that it has the delicious tang of forbidden fruit... It feels chaotic but precise! All those incredibly fine lines, making something that visually pops right off the surface of the paper... the scale difference in the figures—is that intentional to convey power, or just someone flexing their drafting skill? Curator: Almost certainly the former, I believe. The choice to depict Christ humbly riding a donkey in contrast to the Pope's high horse certainly sets up a dynamic of power and humility. It engages with imagery to provoke dialogue, you might even say argue with the values of the established church, something that definitely resonates with its place in time. Editor: Ah, you mean like throwing shade via etched lines? So, the artist uses juxtaposition as commentary. Look, Christ has that ethereal halo, the universal symbol of goodness, innocence, holiness, while the Pope’s garb drips excess. To my eyes the artist's line here reads clear as crystal: spiritual authenticity versus earthly corruption. Am I on the right path, do you think? Curator: Precisely! Prints like these circulated widely and cheaply. It placed criticisms directly into the hands of the public. What may seem visually busy today to contemporary sensibilities would have had a palpable and direct effect on popular understanding, fueling ongoing religious and political debates. So yes! Editor: Knowing its socio-political context completely changes how I read the piece. What at first looked like a chaotic print becomes a pointed critique and a rebellious statement, a bold act of visual protest delivered by someone who knew how to push buttons! It's interesting what gets seen once we get a little backstory and some context to open our mind's eyes... Curator: I think this artwork reminds us of the incredible capacity art possesses to become a cultural catalyst for dialogue, challenge prevailing narratives, and reflect, with wit, even raw power dynamics.