Slag bij de Milvische brug (eerste deel) 1637

Pierre Scalberge made this print, "Battle at the Milvian Bridge," sometime in the early 17th century in the Netherlands. It depicts the famous battle from 312 AD when Constantine defeated Maxentius. But the image is more than a historical record; it actively participates in religious and political debates of Scalberge’s time. The Dutch Republic was then in its early years, having just begun its fight for independence from Catholic Spain. Constantine’s victory was commonly understood in Protestant circles to mark the triumph of Christianity over paganism. Scalberge’s image casts the Dutch struggle for independence as a parallel to Constantine’s, associating Dutch Protestantism with the righteous cause of early Christianity against a corrupt, pagan, empire. To truly understand this artwork, one needs to explore the religious, political and social history of the 17th century Netherlands. Contemporary sermons, pamphlets, and political treatises, all become invaluable resources. The image’s meaning is inseparable from its specific moment in time and place.