Tree of Jesse

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut print titled "Tree of Jesse" during the 17th century in the Netherlands, a period marked by religious and dynastic representation. The "Tree of Jesse" visually narrates the genealogy of Jesus Christ, tracing his lineage back to Jesse of Bethlehem. This imagery was particularly resonant during the Reformation when religious reformers challenged traditional representations. Sichem, working within this context, uses the traditional ‘tree’ format to communicate ancestry and authority by connecting figures of the Old Testament with the New Testament, specifically the Virgin Mary and Child at the top of the tree. Note how the figures—kings and prophets—are placed within the branches, illustrating a patriarchal lineage. The choice of the tree, deeply rooted yet branching upwards, symbolizes growth, heritage, and divine plan.