Genezing van een verlamde 1710 - 1733

Bernard Picart created this print called "Genezing van een verlamde," or "Healing of a Paralyzed Man," sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. As an engraver, Picart was interested in the ways images could circulate ideas, and here he shares a biblical scene from the Acts of the Apostles. At the temple steps, we see the apostles Peter and John encountering a man paralyzed from birth. What might it have felt like to live with a disability in this time, excluded from participation in public life and dependent on the charity of others? Picart emphasizes the moment of healing, as Peter reaches out his hand. Notice the faces in the crowd. Some express disbelief, while others seem hopeful. Ultimately, Picart's print invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in acts of charity and the complex emotions experienced by those seeking and offering help. Consider how this image both upholds and challenges traditional representations of disability and faith.