Hemelvaart van Christus 1582 - 1613

Pieter van der Borcht created this engraving, "Hemelvaart van Christus," in the late 16th century. During this period of religious upheaval and reformation, the Netherlands was a melting pot of artistic and theological ideas. Here, we see the ascension of Christ, surrounded by witnesses and angels, set against a detailed landscape. It’s intriguing to consider how van der Borcht situates this biblical scene within a specific cultural and political context. The inscriptions, written in both Latin and French, subtly hint at the intersection of religious devotion and the rising tide of humanism. The choice of language speaks to the diverse audience of the time, navigating between classical scholarship and vernacular accessibility. The emotional intensity of the witnesses, caught between earthly awe and heavenly aspiration, reflects the personal and collective struggles of faith during a period of profound social change. Van der Borcht’s work not only narrates a religious event but also embodies the complex interplay of belief, identity, and cultural expression.