Ontwerp voor een titelpagina 1601 - 1657

Pieter Serwouters made this title page design with etching, sometime in the 17th century in the Netherlands. The central image shows the transfiguration of Christ, which takes place on a mountain, where he is visited by Moses and Elijah. The composition divides the earthly and heavenly realms. The disciples are at the bottom, overwhelmed by the divine revelation. While above, Christ is shown bathed in light along with Moses carrying the tablets of the law, and Elijah, representing the prophets. In the Gospel of Luke, the transfiguration is followed by an exorcism. These sorts of images were made at a time of great conflict between Catholics and Protestants. They often convey specific theological interpretations. The Rijksmuseum’s records can tell us more about the commissioner of this work, perhaps uncovering the artist's own spiritual and political leanings. With a deeper understanding of the cultural context we can gain a better understanding of the image itself.