Christ Healing the Man in the Pool of Bethesda - Johannes Wierix

A detailed 16th-century engraving by Johannes Wierix depicting the biblical healing at the Pool of Bethesda, featuring precise line work and hand-applied colour.

This engraving by the Flemish master Johannes Wierix depicts the biblical narrative of Christ healing the infirm man at the Pool of Bethesda. Wierix, a member of a prolific family of engravers based in Antwerp, demonstrates his technical precision through the fine, controlled lines that define the architectural setting and the figures. The composition follows the conventions of late sixteenth-century Northern Mannerism, where the scene is organised with a clear sense of spatial depth.

In the foreground, the central figure of Christ stands with a gesture of authority, directing his attention toward the man who has waited for thirty-eight years for a cure. The man reclines on a simple mat, his posture conveying his long-standing physical struggle. Behind them, the pool itself is populated by other figures, while the background architecture features classical arches and colonnades that suggest a Roman influence. An angel descends from above, a detail that references the tradition of the pool being stirred by divine intervention.

The print is enhanced with hand-applied colour, which brings a specific warmth to the robes of the figures and the surrounding environment. The inclusion of Latin and French text at the base of the image provides a didactic element, typical of the devotional prints produced during this period. Wierix was known for his ability to translate complex theological narratives into accessible visual formats, and this work is a clear example of his skill in balancing narrative clarity with decorative detail. The print retains the character of its original context, appearing here as a page from a larger volume, complete with the visible binding edge and page number, offering a glimpse into the way such works were collected and preserved by contemporary audiences.