Christus geeft de sleutels van de kerk aan Petrus after 1567

This detailed engraving depicts Christ giving the keys of the Church to Peter, its composition drawing us into a pivotal moment. The anonymous artist masterfully uses line and space to create a scene that feels both intimate and monumental. Notice how the figures are arranged: Christ, slightly off-center, extends his hand, bridging the divine and the mortal realms. The dense crosshatching defines the textures of robes and faces, giving depth to the scene. Linear perspective guides the viewer's eye from the foreground figures towards the distant landscape, reinforcing a structured sense of space. The architectural elements and natural forms in the background frame the scene and provide context to the moment. Semiotically, the keys represent not just authority but also the power of interpretation and judgment. The artist invites us to consider how earthly power is derived and legitimized through divine sanction. The image suggests that power is not simply given but structurally woven into the fabric of human and divine relations. The detailed rendering underscores the symbolic weight, challenging us to examine how signs and structures intersect.