Opstanding van Christus 1589 - 1615

Lucas Kilian created this engraving, "Opstanding van Christus," a powerful visual statement, during a period of intense religious and political conflict in Europe. The image depicts the resurrection of Christ, a central tenet of Christian faith, but it also reflects the cultural and social tensions of the 16th and 17th centuries. Kilian, working in a society grappling with the Reformation and its aftermath, presents a triumphant Christ emerging from his tomb, an assertion of faith amidst religious upheaval. Consider the figures surrounding Christ: they represent not just witnesses to a miracle, but also the societal forces at play – power, doubt, and perhaps, the stirrings of change. The engraving style itself, with its stark contrasts and dramatic composition, evokes the emotional intensity of the era. This piece is more than a religious scene; it is a reflection on identity, belief, and the human condition in a world undergoing profound transformation. It invites us to contemplate the personal and collective struggles that define our own time.