Jesus Christ
Original title: Jesus Christ
kurzbeschreibung
Simon de la Vallée made this engraved portrait of Jesus Christ in 1726. Christ appears as a half-length figure with a halo, wearing traditional robes, set against a landscape with trees and a cloudy sky.
Description
Christ stands centrally on a rock, his right hand extended and his left slightly lowered. He wears a long-sleeved robe and a mantle; long, wavy hair frames his head, while the halo emphasizes his holiness. The layout is symmetrically focused on the figure, with a landscape of trees and a cloudy sky behind him. Diffuse light from the front accents contours and the folds of the garments, rendered in various shades of gray.
Context
Simon de la Vallée worked as a printmaker in the early 18th century; this sheet was made in 1726, at a time when religious prints were widely circulated. Such engravings served both private and church devotion and helped spread Christian imagery. The motif follows the iconographic conventions of the period, which showed Christ as the Redeemer with a blessing gesture.
Impact
The precise linework and the calm, symmetrical arrangement give the print a solemn dignity. The monochrome gray tones create a serious, contemplative mood that draws the viewer's eye to the religious subject.
Technique
For this engraving, the lines were cut into a metal plate and then printed. This method allows sharp contours and fine shading, used here to model the garments and the background. The sheet is trimmed and measures 34.4 × 21.7 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)