Petrus geneest Eneas before 1646

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut print, "Petrus geneest Eneas," sometime before 1658. The composition is defined by a tight arrangement of figures within a domestic interior, rendered entirely in black and white lines. The intricate network of hatching and cross-hatching creates a rich, almost palpable texture across the entire surface. The dramatic use of line emphasizes the story’s theological context. Notice the linear patterns which direct our eyes to key narrative elements such as the figure of Saint Peter, as he heals Aeneas. The architectural elements – like the tiled floor and the bedchamber – structure the space, which in turn is organized through lines of sight and gestures. This work reflects the broader artistic and philosophical concerns of the period, where the formal qualities of line and composition serve not merely to depict a scene but to convey theological meaning and reinforce contemporary understandings of divine intervention. The graphic structure, in its stark contrasts and detailed rendering, invites a semiotic reading, where each line and form contributes to a larger symbolic order. It’s a potent reminder that art is a site of ongoing interpretation, shaped by its formal qualities and its engagement with cultural and philosophical discourse.