Satisfactio Christi, from "Allegories of the Christian Faith, from Christian and Profane Allegories" 1560 - 1617

This engraving, "Satisfactio Christi" by Hendrick Goltzius, presents a complex theological concept through a densely layered visual language. The composition is dominated by the figure of Christ on the cross, centrally positioned and flanked by allegorical figures. To the left, we see Justice and Faith. To the right, stands Satan. The cross divides the artwork vertically, yet the figures and objects intertwine, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. Goltzius's use of line is meticulous, creating textures that seem to emerge from the page. The Latin inscriptions that border the central scene function as semiotic markers that anchor the image to a specific discourse. This functions aesthetically, contributing to the image's overall impact, and operates within a broader framework of religious and philosophical understanding.