Christus in het huis van de hoofdtollenaar Zacheüs 1590 - 1622

This is Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert's engraving depicting Christ's visit to Zacchaeus’ home. Made using detailed lines, the composition divides into distinct narrative spaces that invite you to explore its structural arrangement. The architectural backdrop contrasts sharply with the natural scene where Zacchaeus perches in a tree, setting up a binary between the constructed world and nature's realm. Notice how light radiates from Christ, visually connecting him to Zacchaeus and highlighting the transformative encounter. The table laden with food further enhances the contrast, symbolizing worldly wealth against spiritual enlightenment. Bolswert employs a semiotic system where spatial arrangement and light function as signs, guiding the viewer's interpretation. The detailed rendering of textures and forms not only provides a visual experience but also serves as a means of understanding the deeper cultural and philosophical implications of salvation and social transformation. The stark contrast in textures serves to highlight the tension between material wealth and spiritual enlightenment.