Graflegging van Christus 1585

Andrea Andreani created this chiaroscuro woodcut, "The Entombment of Christ," around 1625. The composition draws us into a scene of grief, rendered in layered tones from light to dark. Andreani uses line and shadow to construct depth and emotion. Note how the stark contrast between the pale body of Christ and the somber tones of the surrounding figures creates a focal point, yet pulls us into the mourning. The use of light isn't merely representational; it's symbolic. It signifies the divine even in death, a common theme in religious art. The very structure of the woodcut, with its emphasis on tonal relationships, invites us to consider the binary oppositions prevalent in religious thought—life and death, light and darkness, human and divine. The layered carving technique enhances the emotional depth, and reflects the era's complex interplay between artistic innovation and theological reflection.