Hemelvaart van Christus 1660

This is Jan van Troyen's engraving of the Ascension of Christ, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Created in the 17th century, this work reflects a period deeply shaped by religious and political tensions, particularly the conflict between Catholic and Protestant ideologies in Europe. Van Troyen, working within this environment, engages with a pivotal moment in Christian theology – Christ's ascent into heaven – that has significant gendered and class dimensions. Notice the figures below Christ: they are disciples, a mixture of men and women from varied social strata, all united in their awestruck gaze. Mary, often represented as the epitome of female piety, is central here, witnessing an event that confirms her son’s divine status. Van Troyen invites us to consider the emotional complexity of faith, the hope and promise it offers to the disenfranchised. Ultimately, this work serves not only as a depiction of a biblical event but also as a mirror reflecting the societal hopes and spiritual aspirations of its time.