Christus met gesloten ogen 1873 - 1932

Curator: Here we have Wilhelmus Johannes Steenhoff's etching, "Christus met gesloten ogen", which roughly translates to "Christ with closed eyes." The piece dates from between 1873 and 1932. Editor: The mood of this piece really grabs me. It feels almost unbearably intimate – a kind of mournful tenderness in those closed eyes. It reminds me a little bit of a Rembrandt etching. Curator: Yes, that use of light and shadow is definitely reminiscent of Rembrandt. And notice how Steenhoff focuses solely on Christ's face and upper body. He isolates Christ's suffering in a way that demands our attention. It’s quite powerful given that he uses a printmaking technique for that depiction. Editor: The closed eyes are really interesting. Usually, depictions of Christ emphasize the all-seeing, all-knowing. Here, there's a vulnerability, a quiet surrender. Eyes are often seen as the windows to the soul – to close them suggests a journey inwards, away from earthly concerns and agony. Is it a symbol of grief or of peace? Curator: Perhaps both? Or perhaps it depends on the viewer, on what we bring to the image. Consider the tradition of iconic imagery throughout history. By depicting Christ this way, is Steenhoff aiming to capture universal themes of mortality, hope, and faith in human existence and destiny? Editor: Absolutely! The historical and symbolic burden this image carries is astounding! Steenhoff’s personal anguish seems palpably present here, like the artwork's creation may have served as catharsis. The medium adds to that as the graphic quality underscores his emotion. Curator: You know, it's interesting to consider the time period. Steenhoff was working in a world undergoing massive change. Maybe this is his way of grappling with doubt, with the fragility of faith in an increasingly secular age. Editor: And in doing so, maybe he gives voice to our own doubts, our own moments of quiet questioning. The art, however rooted in a very particular faith, manages to tap into feelings so fundamentally human. Curator: It certainly does give one a lot to ponder. Editor: Indeed. I see something new every time I look at it.