Joden dreigen Christus te stenigen c. 1530

Lucas van Leyden created this small, hand-colored woodcut, titled *Joden dreigen Christus te stenigen*, or *Jews Threaten to Stone Christ*, sometime in the first third of the 16th century. It depicts a biblical scene infused with the social realities of the artist’s time. Made in the Netherlands, this piece reflects the religious tensions of the Reformation era. Lucas van Leyden renders the figures in contemporary dress, rooting the ancient narrative in the present. His Christ is set against a group of menacing figures, whose clothing suggests a clear distinction between the religious ‘other’ and the implied viewer. Such imagery played a role in shaping public opinion during a period of significant religious upheaval. To truly understand this work, we must consider the history of religious conflict, the role of printmaking in disseminating ideas, and the artist's own position within this complex environment. Art history thrives on such contextual investigation, using archival sources and contemporary writings to illuminate the past.