Petrus geneest zieken met zijn schaduw 1629 - 1740

Christoffel van Sichem II created this engraving, "Peter healing the sick with his shadow," in the early 17th century. The work depicts a scene from the Acts of the Apostles, set against the backdrop of a detailed cityscape. Consider the historical context: Sichem, living in a time of religious reformation and conflict, uses his art to visualize biblical stories. This particular scene carries themes of faith, healing, and divine power, reflecting the period's deep spiritual concerns. Sichem’s detailed rendering of bodies, some contorted by illness and others reaching out in hope, evokes a sense of shared humanity. The faces in the crowd express a range of emotions, from desperation to awe, mirroring the emotional landscape of a society grappling with questions of belief and salvation. This piece, beyond its religious narrative, invites us to reflect on the enduring human quest for healing and meaning.