Christuskind helpt Jozef met zagen 1617

"Christuskind helpt Jozef met zagen" (Christ Child helps Joseph with sawing) is a 1617 woodcut by Christoffel van (II) Sichem. The print depicts the Christ Child as an adult, helping Joseph with carpentry work. The scene shows Joseph using a saw to cut wood, with the Christ Child lending a hand. The scene is set in a workshop, with tools and wood scattered around. The work is an example of the genre of religious imagery, and it reflects the belief that Christ was a carpenter during his earthly life. The artist's use of detail and the expression of the figures gives the work a sense of realism and humanity. This piece is a beautiful example of Sichem's skills in engraving, and is a good example of the development of graphic art in the Netherlands. The work is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum.