Oprichting van het kruis en De drie kruisen 1791

Simon Fokke made this print called "The Raising of the Cross, and The Three Crosses" sometime in the 18th century. It offers us a window into the religious and social life of the Dutch Republic. The composition, divided into two scenes, depicts episodes from the Passion of Christ. In the upper scene, we see the physical labor involved in erecting the cross. Below, Christ is flanked by two crucified figures, mourned by his followers. Fokke, working within a well-established visual language, invites viewers to contemplate not just the religious narrative, but also the social order it reinforces. Prints like this one played a crucial role in disseminating religious ideas and moral values, solidifying the Church's influence. To understand Fokke's work more fully, we would need to delve into the history of religious publishing, the social function of art in the Dutch Republic, and the ways in which prints shaped popular beliefs. Art history, then, is a crucial tool for understanding the dialogue between images and social values.