Israëlieten werken in slavernij in Egypte 1645 - 1646

This small etching, created by Dutch artist Christoffel van (II) Sichem between 1645 and 1646, depicts a scene from the biblical story of the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt. It shows two Israelites carrying heavy loads, one grimacing in pain, while another man oversees the work. The scene is set against a backdrop of a partially-constructed brick wall, suggesting their forced labor. The detailed rendering of the figures and the stark contrast between their suffering and the overseeing figure's indifference reflects the hardships endured by the Israelites under their Egyptian taskmasters. This artwork, now in the Rijksmuseum, is a powerful reminder of the historical and religious themes of oppression and resilience.