Gelijkenis van de farizeeër en de tollenaar in de tempel 1629

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut print, "Gelijkenis van de farizeeër en de tollenaar in de tempel," sometime between 1581 and 1658. It depicts a biblical scene in which a Pharisee and a tax collector are praying in the temple. Sichem was working during a time of significant religious and social upheaval, marked by the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation. The print reflects the religious debates of the time, particularly around issues of piety, sincerity, and social status. Sichem uses the print to explore the relationship between outward religious practice and inner spiritual condition. The figures represent different ways of approaching faith and illustrate the complexities of religious identity in a divided society. Notice the emotional and experiential aspect of this work. It's an invitation to reflect on our own values and actions, encouraging us to consider what it truly means to be righteous and compassionate.