Heilige Agnes met lam en zwaard 1623 - 1660

This engraving of Saint Agnes with a lamb and sword was created by Pieter de Bailliu in the 17th century. The 1600s in Europe were marked by religious conflict, which shaped the creation and interpretation of religious art. Agnes, a virgin martyr, is traditionally depicted with a lamb, symbolizing her innocence. The sword, however, signifies her martyrdom. Here, Agnes is adorned with pearls and fine fabrics which are at odds with the traditional narratives of religious asceticism and reflect the complex intersections of gender, faith, and power. This engraving asks us to consider the many ways in which women in the 17th Century could exert agency, whether through religious devotion, or wealth. The Saint's serenity amidst symbols of both purity and violence speaks to the complex negotiations of identity within a patriarchal society.