Bewening van Christus 1642 - 1652

This is Nicolaes Lauwers' engraving "Bewening van Christus" held at the Rijksmuseum. In it, Christ's body is presented as an object of grief, surrounded by mourners in a cave setting. Made in the 17th-century Netherlands, this work reflects the cultural emphasis on religious piety characteristic of the time, but it also reveals the influence of institutions such as the Catholic Church and the artistic academies in shaping the production and reception of religious imagery. The visual codes used here draw on established traditions of Christian art but the strong, clear lines of the engraving allow a wide distribution of this poignant scene. The grave setting, the chalice, the skull at the lower left of the image; these all work together to create a scene of overwhelming emotion. Understanding this print requires attention to the social and religious contexts in which it was made, drawing on historical research to illuminate its meanings and significance.