Geboorte van Christus 1705 - 1754

Jacob de Wit created this monochrome etching, The Birth of Christ, sometime between 1695 and 1754. The octagonal composition is arranged around a central light source emanating from the newborn Christ, which draws the eye immediately. De Wit uses dense, cross-hatched lines to build up areas of shadow, contrasting with the smooth, bright planes that define the figures. This careful orchestration of light and dark not only creates a sense of drama but also directs our focus through the scene. Look how the figures are oriented to the central point of light and their relationship with the source. The architectural rendering of the stable with its rough-hewn beams seems almost like a stage. De Wit masterfully balances the formal demands of composition with the emotional weight of the Nativity story, creating a work that is both visually compelling and spiritually evocative. Notice how the shapes used to create each person are repeated throughout the image. This repetition creates a sense of harmony between the individual figures and the whole.