Christus stelt zijn discipelen een kind tot voorbeeld 1582 - 1613

Pieter van der Borcht created this engraving, ‘Christ Presents a Child to His Disciples as an Example,’ capturing a pivotal biblical scene. Here, the central motif is the child, presented by Christ to his disciples. In this time, children symbolized innocence, humility, and a lack of worldly ambition, embodying qualities essential for spiritual purity. We see echoes of this symbol across various cultures, such as the divine child in ancient mythologies, representing new beginnings and untainted potential. Yet, its most potent interpretation remains the call to childlike faith found in the Gospels. The gesture of presentation is another significant element. It appears in countless works throughout history, from royal proclamations to religious ceremonies, signifying a bestowal of importance or a transfer of power. Here, it suggests that the child represents a path to spiritual enlightenment, thus engaging viewers on a subconscious level, calling to mind deeply rooted emotions associated with vulnerability and trust. This symbol is not static; it evolves. The emphasis on childlike innocence has resurfaced throughout history, reflecting humanity’s cyclical yearning for purity and truth, continuously taking on new layers of meaning.