Longinus steekt zijn lans in de zij van de dode Christus aan het kruis 1590 - 1622

"Longinus thrusts his spear into the side of the dead Christ on the cross" is an engraving by Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert, now held in the Rijksmuseum collection. Bolswert created this image during a period of intense religious conflict and reformation in Europe. Consider the cultural weight of depicting such a brutal scene – the piercing of Christ's body after his death. It wasn't merely a historical record, but a potent statement of faith and a reflection on the themes of sacrifice and redemption. The figures surrounding Christ display a range of emotional responses. The graphic nature of the image is meant to provoke a visceral reaction, to make the viewer confront the physical suffering of Christ. This highly charged, emotional display is characteristic of religious art from this era and invites a deeper, more personal engagement with the narrative. The image reflects a pivotal moment, and is a complex interplay of faith, violence, and human emotion.