Annunciatie 1591 - 1657

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut titled "Annunciatie" in approximately the 17th century. The composition is neatly divided into celestial and terrestrial zones, each teeming with figures rendered in precise detail. The stark contrast of black lines on the pale background gives the print a striking visual intensity. Looking closely, one observes how Sichem uses line and form to structure a semiotic relationship between heaven and earth. The upper arc is filled with angels and divine symbols, emphasizing a sense of ethereal transcendence. Conversely, the lower section depicts human figures with a greater emphasis on grounded, earthly qualities. The balance achieved through this formal structure effectively communicates the theological narrative of divine intervention in the human world. Note how the graphic nature of the woodcut serves to flatten the perspective, thereby emphasizing symbolic representation over realistic depiction. This challenges conventional modes of representation and offers a complex interpretation of religious dogma.