Simson steekt de korenvelden van de Filistijnen in brand 1645 - 1740

Christoffel van Sichem II made this engraving, titled ‘Simson steekt de korenvelden van de Filistijnen in brand’, using a technique that was both reproductive and creative. As an engraving, this work belongs to a printmaking tradition reliant on mechanical means. Lines are incised into a metal plate, and the resulting furrows hold ink which is then transferred to paper. This process allowed for the wide distribution of images, playing a vital role in disseminating visual information across society. But Sichem was also a skilled artisan, his hand responsible for the work's visual and tactile qualities. The density of the lines, the contrast between light and shadow, and the overall composition are all testaments to his skill. The image of the hero and the burning crops carries cultural significance by illustrating stories of the Bible. By understanding both the mechanical and the manual aspects of Sichem’s engraving, we gain a fuller appreciation of its significance.