Christuskind staand op monogram 1629

Christoffel van Sichem II created this print of Christ Child standing on a monogram in the Netherlands, sometime between 1600 and 1658. It depicts Christ as a child, standing on a monogram of his name, surrounded by saints, emphasizing the power and glory of Jesus's name. The text reinforces the idea that every knee shall bow to Jesus. During the 17th century, the Dutch Republic was undergoing significant religious and social changes, including the rise of Protestantism and the struggle for independence from Spanish rule. Religious imagery played a crucial role in shaping cultural identity and expressing theological beliefs. Prints such as this one provided a means for disseminating religious ideas and reinforcing social norms. To gain a deeper understanding, we can explore the broader context by studying religious movements, Dutch printmaking traditions, and the social function of religious imagery in the 17th century.