Gabriël verschijnt aan Zacharias 1629 - 1740

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut print, "Gabriel Appears to Zacharias," sometime between 1581 and 1658, during a period of religious and social upheaval in Europe. The print depicts the biblical scene of the angel Gabriel's announcement to Zacharias that his wife Elizabeth will bear a son, John the Baptist. This narrative, central to Christian faith, is presented within the visual language and cultural context of the 16th and 17th centuries. Sichem, working in a time of religious reformation and conflict, navigates the visual representation of sacred stories for a changing audience. The image carries the weight of religious doctrine, while also revealing the social and cultural values of its time. The figures, rendered in the style of the period, reflect contemporary ideals of piety, gender roles, and class distinctions. Consider how the artist uses the print medium to disseminate religious narratives to a broader audience, shaping understanding and belief through accessible imagery.