Verloren zoon als varkenshoeder 1629

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut titled 'Verloren zoon als varkenshoeder' sometime in the 17th century. The intricate, highly detailed scene is rendered through a network of fine lines, creating depth and texture. The composition, dense with figures and landscape elements, tells the biblical story of the prodigal son reduced to tending pigs. Sichem's use of line directs our eye through the narrative, from the figures in the foreground to the distant landscape, unified by the consistent hatching technique. The contrast between light and shadow, achieved through varying densities of line, adds a dramatic quality, emphasizing the hardship of the son's plight. The formal structure of this print mirrors the moral structure of the parable. The density and darkness of the lines reflect the son's descent into despair, but the detail and clarity also hint at the possibility of redemption. The image invites us to reflect on themes of repentance and forgiveness.