Pascha 1645 - 1740

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut titled "Pascha," sometime between 1581 and 1658, now held at the Rijksmuseum. The image depicts the Passover meal of the Israelites. The dominant symbol is the Paschal lamb, sacrificed and consumed in accordance with God's command for protection from the plague about to be unleashed on Egypt. This act of sacrifice, of giving life to preserve life, is a recurring motif across cultures and centuries. Think of the classical Iphigenia, offered to appease the gods, or even the Christian Eucharist, where bread and wine embody Christ’s sacrificial offering. The emotional intensity surrounding such acts taps into our deepest fears and desires. This symbol transcends mere historical event, resonating with the primal, subconscious understanding of sacrifice and redemption. The image is part of a non-linear progression, evolving and resurfacing in different contexts throughout history.