Johannes de Doper bij de Jordaan 1629 - 1740

This engraving by Christoffel van Sichem II, made around the early 17th century, captures the scene of John the Baptist at the Jordan River. The composition is structured vertically, dividing the earthly and divine realms. Below, we see the gathering of figures around John, rendered with a dense network of fine, etched lines creating texture and depth. Above, the celestial is evoked with an almost chaotic burst of light and angelic forms, sharply contrasted against the darker, more grounded scene below. This contrast serves to emphasize the divine intervention occurring in the earthly realm. The lines and textures, particularly in the robes and the flowing water, add a tactile quality to the image, while the contrast in light draws the eye upward, signifying the spiritual message. This interplay is a visual encoding of the dialogue between the sacred and the human, typical of religious art of the time. The engraving functions as a symbolic text, inviting viewers to contemplate the convergence of the divine and the mortal.