Vergadering van het Sanhedrin 1629 - 1740

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut, "Vergadering van het Sanhedrin," sometime before 1658, now held at the Rijksmuseum. The stark contrast of the black lines against the white paper immediately draws our attention to the story of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, convening to plot against Jesus. The composition is structured around a central, elevated figure, presumably a leader, surrounded by a semi-circular arrangement of council members. Sichem uses linear perspective to create a sense of depth, drawing our eye towards the background scenes visible through arched windows. Yet, the space feels compressed, almost claustrophobic. The artist's intricate use of line, varying in thickness and density, defines forms and creates texture. There’s a tension here between clarity and ambiguity. The detailed rendering of figures contrasts with the more schematic depiction of the architectural space. The choice of black and white underscores the gravity of the scene, stripping away any sense of warmth or comfort. This starkness invites us to consider the severe moral implications of the depicted event.