Christus verkondigt dat het Koninkrijk Gods niet van deze wereld is c. 1661

Editor: So, this print is titled "Christus verkondigt dat het Koninkrijk Gods niet van deze wereld is," or "Christ proclaims that the Kingdom of God is not of this world," dating back to about 1661, created by an artist only known as Monogrammist GK. It's fascinating, with all those intricate lines forming the scene within what looks like an ornamental border. What kind of resonance does the image carry for you? Curator: Immediately, I see a tension between the earthly and the divine, rendered meticulously in those engraved lines. Think about how "kingdom" typically suggests power, land, a tangible realm, yet Christ is depicted explicitly rejecting that very concept. Editor: That's an interesting contradiction. Curator: It’s loaded with symbolic meaning, isn't it? The figures around Christ – what do they represent? And what is communicated by the setting itself? Are we indoors or outdoors? Editor: They appear to be the people listening to Christ's message. I would guess, from the architecture in the background, that the setting is inside, a temple perhaps? Is there some significance in the choice of that place? Curator: Precisely. It suggests that even within the established religious structures, the true Kingdom transcends the physical space and expectations. This would have challenged the prevalent understanding of religious authority in the 17th century, pointing inward rather than outward. This is not just about place, but about an inner state of being. The symbols tell a deeper story here, don't they? Editor: Yes, it all feels more challenging now than it appeared at first glance. Thank you, this perspective really illuminates the work! Curator: Indeed! Analyzing the symbolic visual elements opens up such interesting new pathways into the meaning of the work!