Prediking van Christus 1518 - 1522

This woodcut, “The Preaching of Christ,” was created by Lucas van Leyden in the early 16th century. Centered, Christ’s halo, inscribed with a cross, signifies divinity. The halo has been passed down through antiquity, where it signified the divine aura of Emperors, Kings, and Gods. Here, the halo marks Christ as a figure of immense spiritual and moral authority. Observe how the congregants are clustered together, some sitting, some standing, all straining to listen, their eyes wide with a mixture of hope and apprehension. This intense listening, the earnest reception of profound teaching, evokes the emotional and psychological dimensions of faith. Van Leyden prompts us to consider the universal human quest for meaning and spiritual connection that has been a recurring theme through the ages. The motif of a crowd gathered to hear a prophet or sage is as old as civilization itself. This scene isn't merely a depiction of a historical moment, but also an enduring symbol of humanity's collective search for understanding.