Het Christuskind als Salvator Mundi met verscheidene heiligen en paus Clemens XIII 1762

This monochrome drawing was created by Johann Beheim around the 18th century. Here, the artist employs dense, swirling lines to delineate a scene teeming with religious figures, creating a composition that is both ethereal and deeply symbolic. Consider the structure within this apparent chaos. Beheim uses the contrast of light and shadow to guide our eyes through the composition. Notice how the figures at the base are rendered with darker, more defined lines, grounding the image, while the celestial figures above dissolve into lighter, more suggestive strokes. The arrangement of the figures isn't arbitrary; they form a pyramid, with the Christ Child as the apex, positioned above the globe, radiating light. Beheim seems to be making a statement about divine order and earthly chaos, using the formal qualities of the drawing to suggest a world where spiritual authority is both structured and transcendent. The work invites contemplation, prompting viewers to consider the interplay between form and meaning, structure and symbolism.