Intocht in Jerusalem 1672

Christiaan Hagen created this print of the Entry into Jerusalem in the Netherlands sometime in the late 17th century. It shows Jesus on a donkey, greeted by an adoring crowd who lay down their cloaks before him. Hagen was active in a period when the Dutch Republic was a centre of global trade and Calvinist religious beliefs shaped Dutch society. Prints like this one were important for disseminating religious stories to a wide audience. The choice to depict this scene from the Gospels speaks to the central position of the Christian religion at this time. But Hagen's artwork does more than just illustrate the Bible story. Note the reactions of the crowd. Some kneel, some reach out as if trying to touch Jesus, while others climb trees to get a better view. These depictions offer a view into 17th century Dutch customs and social behavior. To understand this work better, scholars consult a wide range of historical sources: religious texts, social histories, and records of the Dutch printmaking industry. This helps us grasp the print's meaning as a product of both artistic skill and a specific cultural context.