Christus in de hof van Getsemane 1670 - 1682

Melchior Küsel created this engraving of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane sometime in the 17th century. The composition is structured around a strong contrast between light and shadow, creating a dramatic scene. Lines define forms with a crispness that draws the eye across the image from the foreground figures to the distant, moonlit architecture. The sharp lines could symbolize the emotional intensity of the depicted scene. The artist’s technique uses a semiotic system where light equals divine presence and darkness equals earthly struggle. This is evident in how Christ is bathed in light while the sleeping disciples are shrouded in shadow, revealing a symbolic commentary on faith, abandonment, and divine solitude. Consider how the structured composition and the use of light and shadow don’t just depict a biblical scene, but invite us to reflect on the human condition through the lens of faith and doubt, light and darkness.