Zo moest op Golgotha de vorst des levens sterven, / Om 't eeuwig leven voor de zynen te verwerven (...) 1731 - 1797

This print of the crucifixion was made by A. Robyn in Amsterdam. While undated, prints like these were common in the 17th and 18th centuries, intended for popular consumption. Prints were a powerful medium to disseminate images and ideas, like the Protestant message here, which can be read in the verses of text in Dutch that frame the image. This print presents Christ's death on Golgotha, a symbolic image with profound meaning for Dutch society, which was shaped by the rise of Protestantism and its values. The image is stark and dramatic, with strong contrasts of light and shadow. The Rijksmuseum, where this print is housed, is itself an institution that shapes the way we understand Dutch history and culture. By studying the print’s production and reception, we can gain a deeper understanding of its social and cultural context. We can explore Dutch history through sources in archives and libraries. Art is not created in a vacuum, but in a world of social relations.