Christus aan het volk getoond (Ecce Homo) 1648 - 1657

Editor: Here we have "Christus aan het volk getoond (Ecce Homo)", or "Christ Shown to the People," created between 1648 and 1657 by Christoffel van Sichem II. It’s an engraving, and the starkness of the black lines against the white really drives home the drama. What can you tell me about the context surrounding its creation? Curator: Well, consider the period. This print was produced in the wake of the Protestant Reformation. Imagery took on heightened political significance, becoming a tool for both Catholic and Protestant factions to solidify their messages and rally their supporters. Think about who the intended audience for this print might have been and what the artist aimed to convey. Editor: I see. It’s like he’s showing the power dynamics – Christ vulnerable before the crowd and Pilate almost presenting him like a spectacle. It makes you question where the true authority lies. Curator: Precisely! And where does Sichem himself stand within this socio-political climate? The print serves as a medium to not only retell a historical narrative but also comment on societal power structures, and invite contemplation on religious authority. How do you think the common person in that period might have perceived this image, and what role did prints play in shaping their views? Editor: It gives a new understanding. Looking at the work through the lens of social and religious tensions of the time makes you consider it on another level. The artwork acted almost as a news source back then. Curator: Indeed. The printing press democratized images. Now, considering its presence in the Rijksmuseum, a national institution, how does the contemporary framing affect our interpretation today? Editor: That’s fascinating. It is wild to think that these were such contentious images then, and now it’s historical documentation. I’m really struck by the way this print speaks to both its time and our own. Curator: Precisely, the print functions both as an artifact from the past and a mirror reflecting ongoing concerns about power, authority, and public opinion.