Christus zittend op het graf 1580

This engraving by Johann Sadeler, made around 1589, presents Christ triumphant, seated upon his tomb. Note how the artist has included a cross, angels, and a skull with a snake. Such symbols are laden with meaning; the cross representing sacrifice, the angels, divinity, and the skull and serpent, death and temptation overcome. Observe the globe in Christ's hand, a symbol of earthly power now under his dominion, echoing images of emperors and kings holding orbs as emblems of their rule. Look at how the serpent is crushed under Christ's feet. This motif recurs throughout art history, linking back to the Genesis story and the promise of salvation through overcoming evil. It echoes in depictions of saints and heroes who triumph over demonic forces, symbolizing the eternal battle between good and evil. These aren't mere illustrations; they are psychic maps, guiding us through layers of shared cultural memory.