Begrafenis van Sara 1645 - 1740

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut, "Funeral of Sara," sometime before his death in 1658. In the image, we see Sara, the wife of Abraham, being laid to rest. Consider the historical context: Sichem was working during the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by both prosperity and religious reformation. The choice to depict a scene from the Old Testament reflects the era’s engagement with religious texts and themes. What strikes me is the depiction of mourning. There’s a communal aspect to grief here; it reminds us that identity is often forged in shared experiences and collective memory. Sara’s burial isn't just a personal loss, it's a moment of cultural and spiritual significance. The print invites us to reflect on the roles of women in religious narratives. Sara's story is one of faith, perseverance, and motherhood. Sichem's work preserves and propagates the stories that shape societal values and communal identity.