Christus voor Herodes 1598 - 1618

Jacques de Bie created this engraving, Christus voor Herodes, which translates to Christ Before Herod, during a time of religious and political conflict in Europe. De Bie lived and worked in Antwerp. Then, Antwerp was at the heart of the Counter-Reformation and the Eighty Years' War. This print illustrates a scene from the New Testament where Christ is sent to Herod by Pilate. The composition places Christ, surrounded by soldiers, before Herod, who sits enthroned, embodying earthly power. Consider how the figures are rendered. Christ appears almost vulnerable, while Herod is depicted with the symbols of royalty and authority. What does it mean to portray Christ in such a way? Does it challenge or reinforce the narratives of power and divinity? De Bie’s print is a testament to how religious narratives can be visually constructed to reflect the socio-political tensions of the time.