Afbeelding van de geboorte / leven / lijden en sterven / van de Ssaligmaecker der weereld 1711 - 1723

This print, made by Jacobus Conynenberg in Amsterdam, depicts the birth, life, suffering, and death of Christ through a series of small scenes. Dominating these scenes is the recurring motif of the cross, an emblem of sacrifice. The cross, initially a symbol of Roman authority and brutal execution, takes on new significance through Christ's crucifixion. We see it not only as an instrument of death but also as a powerful sign of redemption. This transformation reminds us of the alchemical process, where base metals are transmuted into gold. Similarly, the cross, once a symbol of despair, is transformed into a beacon of hope. Consider how this emblem resurfaces in varied artistic and cultural forms throughout history. The swastika, for example, shares a similar geometry, yet bears a vastly different cultural weight due to its appropriation by the Nazi regime. In both instances, we witness how symbols are fluid, their meanings shaped and reshaped by history, collective memory, and psychological projection.