Christus op de koude steen 1510 - 1569

Jacob Binck created this engraving, "Christus op de koude steen," which translates to "Christ on the Cold Stone" sometime between 1515 and 1569. Binck made this print during the Reformation, a time of great upheaval in Europe when religious beliefs and practices were being questioned and redefined. Here, Christ sits nearly nude, a depiction of vulnerability that veers away from traditional representations of religious figures and touches on an emotional aspect of suffering. The Latin text "Ecce Homo," meaning "Behold the Man," suggests a performative element, inviting viewers to witness and contemplate Christ's humanity. The work develops an alternative narrative by portraying a moment of solitary contemplation and suffering. In doing so, the artwork prompts reflection on individual struggle and the emotional dimensions of faith, resonating with both the religious and social anxieties of Binck's time.