Paulus geneest de man die niet kon lopen before 1646

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut depicting 'Paulus geneest de man die niet kon lopen' sometime in the 17th century. The immediate impression is one of a densely populated urban scene, teeming with figures rendered in stark black lines against the white of the paper. The composition is structured around a central drama: Paul healing the crippled man, positioned at the lower center. This foreground scene is meticulously detailed, drawing the eye into the heart of the narrative. The architecture, with its imposing columns and receding buildings, creates a spatial framework that directs the viewer's gaze deeper into the scene. The linear perspective, though somewhat flattened, gives a sense of depth, while also emphasizing the compressed nature of the crowd. The use of line in this woodcut is particularly striking. Each stroke carves out form and texture, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. This interplay not only animates the scene but also serves to highlight the miraculous event unfolding before us.