Gevangenneming van Christus 1576

This drawing, “Gevangenneming van Christus,” by Chrispijn van den Broeck, rendered in pen and brown ink, presents a tumultuous scene dominated by a palette of sepia tones. The composition is structured around the central figures of Christ and his captors, whose convergence forms a nucleus of dynamic tension. Van den Broeck masterfully employs line and form to convey the chaos of the moment, with swirling lines and overlapping figures creating a sense of disorientation. The artist uses light and shadow to focus our attention on the emotional and physical struggle at the heart of the narrative, and structural instability conveys conflict. Van den Broeck's use of graphic marks and textures, and the architectural elements in the background, serve as semiotic markers, locating the scene in both time and space. The drawing destabilizes the traditional interpretation of religious art through its raw and visceral depiction of the event. The visual structure invites us to contemplate themes of betrayal, violence, and the fragility of faith.