Hemelvaart Possibly 1630 - 1702

This print titled "Hemelvaart" or "Ascension", comes to us from an anonymous artist. Its black and white tones and detailed engravings present a scene of ethereal transcendence. The ascension of Christ is witnessed by a group of disciples who appear to be in awe. As Christ ascends into the clouds, they reach out in a gesture of disbelief and reverence. Consider how this piece reflects the socio-cultural milieu in which religious art served not only as a form of worship but as a tool for communicating theological narratives to a largely illiterate populace. Visual representations such as this one helped shape the collective understanding and experience of faith, reinforcing social norms and moral values within the community. What emotions does this image evoke for you? Does it speak to universal themes of hope, spirituality, and the search for meaning that transcend time and culture?