Vrouwelijke heiligen 1800 - 1833

This hand-colored engraving of female saints was created by Philippus Jacobus Brepols in the early 19th century. It presents a series of idealized portraits, each framed within a decorative medallion. Produced during a period of significant social and political upheaval across Europe, this print reflects a conservative impulse towards tradition and religious devotion. The artwork reinforces existing social norms through the depiction of female figures who exemplify piety, charity, and submissive virtue. Note how each saint is identified by name, a strategy to establish a clear sense of order and hierarchy within the spiritual realm. The use of visual codes, such as the halo and specific attributes associated with each saint, would have been easily understood by a religiously literate audience of that time. Further research into the publishing history of Brepols and the religious climate of the Netherlands in the 19th century would help us to fully grasp its cultural significance. Only then can we can understand the role art plays in reinforcing social and institutional norms.