De ongelovige Thomas c. 1570 - 1610

This is an anonymous engraving, "De ongelovige Thomas," found at the Rijksmuseum. The artwork is a study in contrasts, using dense, hatched lines to create pockets of shadow that emphasize the figures in the central scene. The composition draws the eye to Thomas, kneeling before Christ, their interaction framed by the formal elements of architecture and onlookers. The scene is encased in an elaborate border, adorned with sculptural forms and inscriptions. This combination of figural representation and abstract ornamentation creates a visual tension, destabilizing the conventional boundaries between the sacred narrative and decorative arts. The linear precision of the engraving, in this context, becomes more than a technique; it serves as a semiotic marker. The inscription, paired with the image, challenges viewers to question the relationship between seeing and believing. Here, the formal qualities of the engraving — its lines, shadows, and structured composition — function as a cultural code, inviting us to interpret and reinterpret the artwork’s meaning.