Korach, Datan en Abiram en hun gezinnen worden door de aarde verzwolgen 1645 - 1646

Curator: Here we have a 17th-century engraving by Christoffel van Sichem II, dating from around 1645-1646. The Rijksmuseum holds this piece, titled "Korach, Datan and Abiram and their families are swallowed by the earth." Editor: Wow, "swallowed by the earth" feels apt. The image really evokes that feeling of sudden, catastrophic collapse. I find myself oddly mesmerized by the stark contrast and dramatic diagonal composition. Curator: Precisely. The artist's utilization of line is critical here. Notice how Sichem uses dense, parallel lines to depict the gaping chasm and the turbulent sky, while finer lines detail the figures’ clothing and expressions. The dramatic contrast between light and shadow heightens the scene's intensity. Editor: It’s a masterful use of black and white. There's a kind of raw energy to the marks, especially the figures being consumed. You can almost feel the ground giving way. Makes me think about the instability of power and the inevitability of nature's forces. Is there some historical context to it all? Curator: Indeed. This engraving depicts a story from the Book of Numbers in the Old Testament, where Korah and other Israelites rebel against Moses and Aaron. As punishment, the earth opens up and swallows them and their families. Sichem is known for illustrating biblical scenes, often with a moralizing message. Editor: Right, the wages of sin, writ large – literally. There's a certain baroque drama in the exaggerated gestures and the almost theatrical composition. But there’s also something profoundly unsettling about it. Like witnessing a nightmare frozen in time. Curator: The engraving participates in a larger visual tradition of illustrating biblical narratives during the Baroque era. By using such dramatic figuration and line work, he seeks to provoke an emotional response and convey the severity of the divine judgment. Editor: It certainly succeeds! Even without knowing the specifics of the biblical story, you get the sense of dread, the chaos, the absolute finality of the moment. I'm almost feeling bad for those consumed! Curator: Indeed. The visual elements, especially the line work and the arrangement of figures, create an undeniably striking effect. Editor: Absolutely. It reminds us of how skillfully an artist can wield line and contrast to convey complex themes and elicit deep emotions. I can not simply walk by it, I am frozen. Curator: I find myself intrigued by it more each time. Let us move forward.