Presentatie van Christus in de tempel after 1568

This print, Presentation of Christ in the Temple, of unknown date by an anonymous artist, compels us to consider its organization of space and form through a semiotic lens. Notice how the composition is structured around a central axis, creating a symmetrical balance, which anchors the scene. This stability is disrupted by the dynamic interplay of light and shadow. The figures are rendered with detailed line work, but their expressions remain somewhat ambiguous, inviting multiple interpretations. This formal tension between order and ambiguity extends to the symbolic level. The image is a visual representation of religious doctrines and cultural values, presented in a space that seems both familiar and distant. It is a system of signs and codes, which prompts us to decode the artwork, by analyzing its structure, composition, and form. The image prompts ongoing re-interpretations.