Christus als Man van Smarten met twee engelen en twee cherubijnen 1586 - 1633

Cornelis Galle I created this engraving, "Christus als Man van Smarten met twee engelen en twee cherubijnen," in the late 16th or early 17th century, a period marked by religious and political conflict in Europe. This image presents a vulnerable, humanized Christ. Stripped bare, with the crown of thorns digging into his brow, he sits supported by angels, their expressions a mix of sorrow and reverence. Galle, working in the tradition of devotional prints, invites the viewer into an intimate, empathetic contemplation of Christ's suffering. The male angels, draped in what seems to be Roman garb, attend to Christ. This choice could reflect an artistic effort to blend classical and Christian imageries, possibly aiming to appeal to a broader, more diverse audience. In doing so, Galle challenges us to consider whose stories are deemed worthy of representation and how these representations uphold or subvert existing power structures.