Allegorie op de kerstnacht 1864 - 1888

This is Peter von Halm’s etching, Allegory on Christmas Night. Though the date of its making is unknown, the piece invites us to consider the cultural and religious contexts that permeate the celebration of Christmas. The work depicts a radiant star, which illuminates Mary and the infant Christ. Angels surround them, and a banner proclaims “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” Glory to God in the highest. What I find compelling here is the way the allegory doesn’t simply retell a familiar religious story, it asks us to think about the values associated with the Christmas narrative. The figures are ethereal, but they are grounded by the very earthly concepts of faith, hope, and love. It asks us to meditate on the ways these values intersect with our lived experiences, inviting reflection on our own spiritual and ethical compass. It is a gentle, but firm, invitation to examine ourselves.