Arrestatie van Christus 1629

This woodcut, "Arrestation of Christ," was crafted by Christoffel van Sichem II in the early 17th century. Above the unfolding betrayal, a host of demons descends, their forms grotesque, signaling the spiritual battle at play. Consider Judas’s kiss, a motif that echoes through art history. Here, it’s not merely an act of treachery but a convergence of earthly and cosmic forces. In Giotto’s frescoes, for instance, we see a similar staging, the kiss as a pivotal moment laden with eternal consequences. The halo around Christ's head—a symbol of sanctity—contrasts sharply with the demonic figures above, reminding us of the duality that pervades human experience. This woodcut is not just an illustration; it is an activation of cultural memory, inviting us to confront the darker aspects of human nature and the enduring power of symbolic language.