Christus 1633

Christoffel Jegher created this print of Christ, likely in Antwerp, using wood engraving, a technique well-suited to the bold, graphic style we see here. It was made in the first half of the 17th century during a period of intense religious conflict and reform. Prints like this one played a crucial role in disseminating religious imagery. The inscriptions frame the image as an object of reverence and a tool for contemplation. Christ is presented in profile, his gaze directed inward, inviting viewers to reflect on his divine nature. The commercial and religious institutions of Antwerp played a vital role in supporting artists like Jegher, who produced images for both private devotion and public display. Understanding the history of printmaking and the religious context of the time helps us appreciate the power of this image as a tool for shaping belief and identity. To learn more, you might explore the archives of religious orders, records of printmaking workshops, and theological treatises from the period.