Vervolging van de Waldenzen in de Piemonte, 1655-1663 1655 - 1663

This print, made in the Dutch Republic by an anonymous artist, depicts the persecution of the Waldensians in Piedmont between 1655 and 1663. The image presents a central allegorical figure of Religion weeping amidst scenes of violence and suffering. The surrounding vignettes are visual documents, offering a window into a specific historical moment, but also speaking to broader religious and political conflicts. The persecution of the Waldensians was a sensitive topic across Europe and the Dutch Republic, with its Protestant sympathies, was particularly invested in representing these events. The print is not simply a record of the past; it is a form of political speech. It uses visual codes and cultural references to elicit an emotional response from the viewer, to position them in relation to the events depicted. As historians, we might turn to pamphlets, sermons, and other visual materials from the period to better understand how the persecution of the Waldensians was understood and debated in the Dutch Republic. This helps us appreciate the public role of art.