Engel met het lichaam van Christus 1660

Johannes Popels created this engraving, "Angel with the Body of Christ," sometime in the 17th century. During this time, Dutch art often explored religious themes, reflecting the cultural tensions and spiritual introspection of the era. Here, Popels presents a tender scene, reimagining the traditional "Pieta." Instead of Mary holding Jesus, an angel gently supports his body. There's a palpable sense of vulnerability in Christ's posture, highlighting human suffering, but also notions of divine grace. It's difficult not to think of how this image speaks to the intersection of power, religion, and the body, and the ways they are represented and idealized in art. Popels' delicate lines and the angel's compassionate gaze invite a moment of quiet reflection. What does it mean to see such tenderness bestowed upon the male form, in a historical period marked by strict social norms? The engraving reflects the artist's own interpretations of faith and the complex relationship between the divine and the human.