Hemelvaart van Christus 1590 - 1622

Editor: This is “Hemelvaart van Christus,” or "Ascension of Christ," by Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert, created sometime between 1590 and 1622. It’s an intaglio print. I’m immediately drawn to the expressions of awe on the faces of the people below. How do you interpret this work, with its layered composition? Curator: For me, it’s about the power of ascension narratives – not just the religious aspect, but the enduring human need to depict upward movement, transformation. The clustered figures gazing upwards form a pyramid, their upturned faces mirroring Christ’s own ascent, suggesting a visual echo between the earthly and divine realms. Do you see any other symbolic elements in play? Editor: The light surrounding Christ is pretty intense. It seems to radiate authority. And what about the landscape; does it serve a specific purpose beyond just setting the scene? Curator: The light is key; it represents divine illumination, a recurring motif for Bolswert. Notice, also, how the landscape grounds the narrative in a recognizable reality, making the event relatable, anchoring it in a specific geographical and cultural context. It implies that even this most supernatural event happened *somewhere.* And what of the figures gathered in the midground, and at left? Editor: Ah, that's the other appearance - Christ after the Resurrection, before the Ascension? I'm only seeing that connection now, making this piece encompass more of the New Testament story. Curator: Exactly. And there's something profound in that layering – how the artist uses visual space to collapse different moments in time, connecting the physical and spiritual worlds through enduring symbols and shared emotions. Editor: I never thought about landscape grounding the narrative and adding relatability to a divine narrative. Now that I understand the symbolism, I appreciate how much Bolswert packed into this single print. Curator: And that speaks to the enduring power of visual language, doesn’t it?