Engelen zorgen voor Christus 1629

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut, "Angels Provide for Christ," at an unknown date. The dense network of lines creates a complex visual texture, a formal strategy that evokes a spiritual depth and intensity. The composition is structured around contrasting zones. The upper portion, filled with angels and celestial imagery, opposes the lower realm populated by animals. This division creates a visual tension, a semiotic play between the divine and the earthly. Christ sits at the centre, a focal point surrounded by a halo, which serves as the linchpin connecting these disparate realms. The use of light and shadow, achieved through meticulous carving, not only defines form but also contributes to the symbolic weight of the piece. It emphasizes the artwork's inherent duality, questioning stable categories and prompting a re-evaluation of spiritual and material values.