Maria Magdalena en de apostelen Petrus en Johannes bij het lege graf 1629

This print, "Maria Magdalena en de apostelen Petrus en Johannes bij het lege graf," was made by Christoffel van Sichem II. The stark black lines of this woodcut pull us into a scene of intense drama. Observe how the composition is structured: the dark, cave-like opening of the tomb contrasts with the light that breaks through the trees, framing the distant city. The figures are meticulously detailed, their forms built up through dense, parallel lines. The chaotic scene in the foreground leads the viewer's eye towards the discovery of the empty tomb. The detailed linear work suggests an interest in both the material reality of the scene and its symbolic possibilities. The fallen soldiers in the lower part of the composition create a sense of confusion. The overall effect isn't just narrative, but a commentary on doubt and revelation. Notice how the artist uses the formal qualities of line and space to suggest not just a story, but a complex interplay of faith, doubt, and divine intervention. The work's true subject may not be the resurrection itself, but the uncertain process of witnessing and understanding.