Christuskind met kruis 1618 - 1655

Cornelis Schut created this print of the Christ Child with a cross using etching techniques sometime in the 17th century. Schut lived during a period of intense religious and political conflict, marked by the Counter-Reformation and the rise of powerful centralized states. The image presents a paradox: a tender infant embodying immense spiritual authority, seated on the orb, symbolizing worldly power. This tension encapsulates the era's struggle between earthly sovereignty and religious devotion. The child's gesture suggests a blessing, yet he carries the cross, a symbol of sacrifice. This intertwining of innocence and burden speaks to the expectations placed upon individuals, especially within the rigid social structures of the time. The image’s emotional resonance lies in its portrayal of vulnerability and strength, reflecting the complex interplay of faith, power, and personal destiny that shaped the lives of those in Schut's world.