Hemelvaart van Christus 1629 - 1740

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut of the Ascension of Christ in the 17th century. The ascending Christ is the dominant motif, surrounded by angels and clouds, a conventional representation of divine ascension. The gesture of upward movement is an ancient visual trope, found even in pre-Christian art. Think of the winged figures in Mesopotamian reliefs or the ascending heroes in Roman art, all echoing a desire for transcendence. This motif reappears throughout the medieval and Renaissance periods to symbolize spiritual elevation. The cloud, here, serves as a divine vehicle, akin to the chariots of gods in classical mythology. It illustrates a psychoanalytic concept: humanity’s deep-seated need to visualize the intangible, turning abstract spiritual yearning into tangible forms. The Ascension is not merely a depiction of Christ's departure but a potent symbol that touches our collective memory, reminding us of our own aspirations for spiritual liberation.