Dood van Absalom 1645 - 1646

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut, "Death of Absalom," to illustrate a story from the Bible. This depiction of Absalom, King David's son, captures a moment laden with the complexities of power, rebellion, and divine justice. As Absalom rides beneath a tree, his hair becomes entangled, leaving him suspended and vulnerable. Sichem situates Absalom away from the city, in the natural world, highlighting his isolation. The two soldiers are on horseback, in pursuit, their spears leveled and ready. Absalom’s story mirrors the social and political tensions of Sichem’s time, a period marked by religious conflict and shifting social hierarchies. The artist makes a cautionary statement about the dangers of challenging divinely sanctioned authority. "Death of Absalom" invites us to reflect on the timeless themes of ambition, loyalty, and the consequences of defying established order, and the futility of rebellion.