Christuskind slaapt in de wieg 1617 - 1658

Christoffel van Sichem II created this woodcut depicting the Christ Child asleep in a cradle. Note the figures surrounding the cradle: Mary, along with three angels, watching over the infant Jesus. The visual language here speaks of protection and divine watchfulness. We see echoes of earlier Roman imagery, where putti guarded sacred spaces. Think of Cupid and Psyche, and their roles as guardians of love and the soul. This motif recurs throughout history, from the Renaissance depictions of angelic protection to modern interpretations of benevolent spirits. Consider how this symbol of the watchful guardian morphs across cultures. This image also taps into our collective memory of vulnerability and the need for protection, stirring a deep, almost primal, sense of empathy. Ultimately, the image reveals the cyclical nature of symbols, reappearing across time, constantly adapting, yet always resonating with fundamental human emotions.