Het stalleken van Bethlehem, oft de geboórte Jesu Christi 1800 - 1833

Philippus Jacobus Brepols created this print, *Het stalleken van Bethlehem, oft de geboórte Jesu Christi*, sometime between 1778 and 1845 using an engraving technique. At this time, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and political upheaval. How might the story of the birth of Jesus, a tale of humility, hope, and redemption, resonate with a society grappling with its own challenges? The image depicts the nativity scene in Bethlehem, rendered with a visual language common to its time. Yet, the scene is populated by a diverse range of figures, each rendered with a unique humanity. How does Brepols navigate representing the holy family alongside the everyday people who populate the scene? The text surrounding the central image adds layers of meaning, grounding the story within a specific religious and cultural context. This work invites us to consider how religious narratives intersect with everyday life, shaping individual and collective identities. The image is both reverent and grounded in a sense of lived experience.