Christus trekt zich terug op de berg 1582 - 1613

Pieter van der Borcht made this print of ‘Christ withdrawing to the mountain’ in the Netherlands, sometime around 1600. It shows a biblical scene where Jesus eludes a crowd wanting to crown him king. Van der Borcht was working during a tumultuous time in Dutch history, and the print reflects the prevailing religious and political sensibilities. The visual language and cultural references in the print offer insight into the period's social conditions. The detailed rendering of the landscape, for instance, points to an increasing interest in naturalism. But the artist uses this style to comment on the social structures of his time, especially the role of the church and state. To fully appreciate this print, historians consult a range of resources, from theological texts to political pamphlets. Art is contingent on its social and institutional context.