Hemelvaart 1650 - 1700

This print, called "Hemelvaart," or "Ascension" in English, was made by an anonymous artist. It depicts Jesus ascending to heaven while his disciples gaze upward. The scene reflects the deeply embedded religious culture of the time, where the Church played a central role in shaping social and cultural life. Visual codes in this print, such as the radiant light surrounding Jesus, signify his divine status and reinforce the Church's teachings about salvation. Prints like this one served a vital purpose in disseminating religious ideas to a broad audience. These images offered a way to internalize the Church’s messages. The Rijksmuseum, where this print resides, plays an important role in preserving and interpreting cultural artifacts like this one. To truly understand this artwork, we must examine the historical context in which it was created. By consulting historical documents, theological treatises, and other primary sources, we can uncover the complex social and institutional forces that shaped its creation. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.