Hemelvaart van Christus c. 1612 - 1616

This engraving, made by Theodoor Galle, depicts Christ's ascension into heaven. Radiating light emanates from Christ, whose raised hand is a gesture of benediction and power, reminiscent of classical depictions of emperors. The apostles below, awestruck, mirror the tradition of depicting witnesses to divine events. The motif of ascension appears across cultures, such as the soaring figures in ancient Roman apotheosis scenes, or the elevated saints of the Byzantine era. It represents the soul's flight from earthly constraints. This upward movement is a visual metaphor for spiritual transcendence, tapping into a collective yearning for elevation and purification. In each telling of the motif, whether religious or secular, there is a consistent desire to visually express the human spirit’s aspiration towards the divine. The ascension captures humanity’s eternal aspiration to transcend earthly limitations, a powerful force in human consciousness.