Christ Talking to the Disciples, 3, from Das Plenarium 1517

Hans Schäufelein created this woodcut, "Christ Talking to the Disciples, 3, from Das Plenarium," during the early 16th century. As a student of Dürer, Schäufelein navigated the religious and social upheavals of the Reformation, a period of intense questioning of religious authority. This small, hand-colored print reflects the visual culture of its time, where biblical scenes were frequently depicted to reinforce religious teachings. Yet, it also subtly engages with the changing dynamics of faith and individual interpretation. The intimate scale draws viewers into a personal encounter with the divine. The work eschews the traditional, hierarchical representations of Christ, presenting a more humanized and accessible figure. The figures are rendered with an emotional intensity that invites empathy. Schäufelein subtly challenges the established norms. The image becomes a space for reflection on faith, doubt, and the search for personal meaning during a time of profound social change.