Schotel met voorstelling van Kruisiging van Christus 1623

This is a ceramic plate depicting the crucifixion of Christ, made by an anonymous artist in the early 17th century. The image itself, of course, draws on a long history of Christian art. But its appearance on a plate suggests how religion permeated everyday life in Europe at this time. The image creates meaning through the use of Christian iconography, like the angels hovering above Christ, as well as the figures of Mary and Mary Magdalene. We can see how the artist has been influenced by the religious and social structures of the time, reflecting a society in which the church played a central role in people's lives. Historians use many resources to better understand art like this, including church records, social histories, and studies of popular culture. Through this research, we can see how an object like this plate reflects the beliefs and values of its time, while also shaping them.