Fotoreproductie van het schilderij Christus aan het kruis tussen de twee moordenaars, genoemd De lanssteek, van Rubens 1858 - 1866

This photograph captures Rubens’ painting of Christ on the cross, flanked by two thieves. It’s a scene laden with symbolic weight, the central motif being the crucifixion, a symbol of sacrifice and redemption deeply rooted in Christian theology. Consider the lance piercing Christ’s side; this act of violence echoes through time, recalling similar acts in different cultural contexts. One finds parallels, for instance, in the ritualistic piercing of sacrificial figures in ancient cultures, a motif of offering and purification. The emotional intensity of the scene, the anguish of the witnesses, the agony of Christ, engages us on a subconscious level. The lance, initially a symbol of violence, transforms over time into a symbol of revelation, drawing a link between suffering and spiritual insight. The symbols of the crucifixion resonate, perpetually evolving, yet eternally tethered to their historical and psychological origins.