Engel met ladder, hamer, spijkers en zalfpot 1580 - 1600

Johann Sadeler I created this engraving of an angel with a ladder, hammer, nails, and a pot of ointment in the late 16th century. The image presents an intriguing constellation of objects associated with Christ’s crucifixion. The ladder perhaps symbolizes the descent from the cross, while the ointment anticipates the anointing of Christ’s body. Produced in the Netherlands, this work reflects the religious climate of the time. As a Catholic artist working in a region undergoing Protestant reformation, Sadeler navigated a complex environment where the public role of religious imagery was hotly debated. Art historians often consult period religious texts and social histories to better understand the function and interpretation of such images.