Bewening van Christus 1648 - 1657

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut, "Bewening van Christus," depicting the lamentation of Christ. The Virgin Mary cradles the lifeless body of her son, a scene laden with profound sorrow, echoed by the surrounding figures with their gestures of grief. The motif of the Pietà, Mary cradling Christ, resonates deeply within the collective consciousness. We can trace its origins back to ancient depictions of mother goddesses embracing their dying sons—Isis mourning Osiris. The symbol carries an emotional weight that transcends time and space. Consider the gesture of Mary, her embrace mirroring the countless mothers who have mourned their children throughout history. The Pietà taps into the primal fear of loss. This subconscious connection is what lends the image such power, engaging us on a visceral level. From ancient Egypt to Renaissance Europe, the image of a mother mourning her child persists, revealing the non-linear, cyclical progression of symbols and their enduring impact on the human psyche.