Genezing van de blinde van Jericho 1629

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut, "Healing of the Blind Man of Jericho," in the 17th century. As the Reformation swept through Europe, artists like van Sichem navigated a landscape deeply divided by religious beliefs. In this small but powerful print, we see more than just a depiction of a biblical miracle. It's a reflection on the very nature of seeing and believing during a time of immense social and spiritual upheaval. Van Sichem asks us to consider who has the power to see, and whose voices are marginalized. The artist challenges the traditional representations of power and vulnerability. The act of bestowing sight becomes a metaphor for the enlightenment and understanding that were so central to the religious debates of the time. The artist is speaking to the deeply personal yet universally shared desire for clarity and truth in a world that often seems shrouded in darkness.