Graflegging van Christus c. 1720 - 1727

This engraving of the entombment of Christ was created by Claude Duflos in the late 17th or early 18th century, after a painting by Raphael. Note the tender embrace of Christ's lifeless body, particularly Mary cradling her son's head – a motif resonant with the ancient Pietà. This pose echoes back to images of mourning goddesses from antiquity, embodying universal grief. Then, observe Mary Magdalene, kneeling to kiss Christ’s feet. This gesture of repentance, or gratitude, appears in countless iterations, notably in depictions of saints and other biblical scenes. In some interpretations, the washing or kissing of feet can be interpreted as a symbol of humility and devotion. The resonance of these symbols taps into a deep well of human emotion. Such archetypal expressions of sorrow and reverence are a powerful force, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Like the serpent that bites its own tail, this iconography is continuously reborn across time, revealing truths about our shared human condition.