H. Christoffel 1550 - 1650

This is H. Christoffel, an engraving made around 1600 by Wierix, which depicts St. Christopher carrying the Christ Child across a river. The composition is dominated by strong vertical lines: the saint’s body, his staff, and the trees on either bank, offset by the horizontal pull of the water. Note how Wierix uses hatching to create texture and volume, particularly in the saint's robes and beard, and in the rocky landscape. These details contribute to a sense of depth. The image is a study in contrasts, between the monumental figure of Christopher and the small child on his shoulders. The use of scale underscores the idea of divine power made manifest in human form. Through a structural reading, the image conveys a symbolic representation of faith and divine burden.