Mattatias doodt een Jood en een afgezant van de koning 1585

This engraving by Wierix, made around the turn of the 17th century, depicts Mattatias killing a Jew and an envoy of the king. The image reflects the religious and political tensions of its time. Created in the Netherlands, a region embroiled in its own struggle for religious freedom from Spanish rule, this image evokes the story of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. The story was seen as analogous with the Dutch Revolt. Wierix’s detailed rendering of violence underscores the religious fervor driving both conflicts. The setting, reminiscent of classical architecture, connects the ancient narrative with contemporary European power structures, reinforcing the idea of resistance against oppressive regimes. To fully grasp the print's significance, we can consult historical texts and religious commentaries, along with studies of Dutch art and the Reformation. Art is invariably shaped by socio-political and institutional contexts.