Dat boeck van dem leuen ons liefs heren ihesu cristi... 1495

This woodcut illustration is the frontispiece to "Dat boeck van dem leuen ons liefs heren ihesu cristi...," a devotional text, printed in the Netherlands. The image presents a vision of Jesus, framed by intricate gothic designs. It reflects the complex relationship between religious devotion and visual culture in the late medieval period. The book’s original readers would have seen the image through a very specific cultural lens. Consider how ideas about gender influenced depictions of divinity. Jesus is shown with a gentle, almost feminine demeanor which reflects the period's emphasis on his compassion and mercy. The contrast between his serenity and the violence of his crucifixion highlights the emotional intensity of Christian piety. The text surrounding the image in old Dutch indicates a guide for meditations and prayers. These books played a vital role in shaping personal religious experience and were a way for individuals to connect emotionally and intellectually with their faith. The image asks us to reflect on how faith is lived, felt, and expressed.