Christ's Feet Annointed by a Sinner - Hans Collaert the Elder

A detailed hand-coloured engraving by Hans Collaert the Elder, depicting the biblical scene of the woman anointing the feet of Christ.

This hand-coloured engraving depicts the biblical narrative of the woman anointing the feet of Christ in the house of Simon the Pharisee, as recounted in the Gospel of Luke. Hans Collaert the Elder, a Flemish engraver active in Antwerp, demonstrates the technical precision characteristic of the period. The composition is structured around the central figure of Christ, seated at a table, while the woman kneels in the foreground, her hair cascading as she tends to his feet. The surrounding figures, dressed in contemporary sixteenth-century attire, observe the scene with varied expressions, providing a sense of human drama to the theological subject.

The work features a Latin inscription at the base, which serves to identify the scene and provide context for the viewer. The use of hand-applied colour enhances the clarity of the figures and the textures of their garments, from the heavy folds of the robes to the draped fabric in the background. The interior setting is rendered with a focus on spatial arrangement, using the table and the doorway to create a sense of depth within the frame. Collaert's approach to the human form and drapery reflects the influence of the broader Northern Renaissance tradition, where narrative clarity and attention to detail were paramount. This print is a fine example of the devotional imagery produced in the Low Countries during the late sixteenth century, intended for both private contemplation and educational use. The balanced composition and the clear delineation of the narrative elements make it a compelling study of historical printmaking techniques.