Christus voor Kajafas 1573

Philips Galle’s engraving captures Christ before Caiaphas. Caiaphas, seated high, embodies authority, a stark contrast to the bound Christ, who stands for spiritual defiance. Consider how the gesture of binding—restricting movement and freedom—reappears throughout art history. Think of the Laocoön, wrestling with serpents, or even prisoners in Goya’s depictions of war. This motif taps into a primal fear of confinement, yet it also symbolizes resistance against overwhelming power. The dog in the foreground, often a symbol of loyalty, here seems indifferent, perhaps even apathetic, reflecting the broader betrayal and abandonment surrounding Christ. This seemingly minor detail evokes deep-seated anxieties about fidelity and desertion. These symbols are not static; they evolve, resurface, and are reinterpreted across generations, constantly engaging our collective memory and subconscious.