Doornenkroning 1648

This engraving, "Doornenkroning," was created by Christoffel van Sichem II. Here, Christ is crowned with thorns. The crown, a symbol of power and authority, is here twisted into an instrument of torture. The thorns evoke the Passion of Christ, linking to earlier depictions of suffering and sacrifice. Think of vegetal deities adorned with foliage, symbols of fertility and renewal now perverted into emblems of pain. The crown reminds us of the laurel wreaths of Roman emperors, power now inverted, mocked. This image touches upon deep, subconscious fears and anxieties surrounding authority, suffering, and the inversion of symbols. Through the ages, the crown of thorns returns, a potent reminder of humanity's capacity for both cruelty and redemption.