Jule- og nytårskort 1937

Axel Hou created this Christmas and New Year card as a print in 1937. It depicts a young Jesus in a temple, surrounded by learned elders, an image laden with symbolism and historical context. Hou, working in a deeply religious society, engages with themes of knowledge, power, and youth through this depiction. Jesus, though young, holds an undeniable presence, signified by the halo, challenging the traditional hierarchies of age and wisdom. The scene hints at the transformative power of new perspectives, disrupting established norms. On the print, Hou wishes a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from a group of people that includes himself, a personal touch that underscores the intersection of faith, community, and individual identity. The intimate gesture embedded in this public declaration complicates the viewer’s reception and experience of the print. It becomes not just a religious statement, but also a personal expression of hope and connection.