Genezing in het bad van Betzata before 1700

Richard van Orley created this print, “Healing at the Pool of Bethesda”, in the late 17th or early 18th century. The scene is set in Jerusalem, yet the architectural style speaks to the values of Orley’s time, in the region we know today as Belgium. We see the clear influence of Renaissance classicism in its use of symmetry and proportion. It's a style often associated with stability and order and favored by the institutions of both church and state. In it, the artist depicts a biblical scene of healing, but the setting reflects the social and cultural context of his own time. The printmaking medium itself is telling. It suggests a desire to disseminate religious narratives widely, engaging a broader public. Analyzing this artwork, we can look to sources such as period architectural treatises and religious texts. These resources help us understand the intersection of art, religion, and society during Orley’s time. Studying it helps reveal the complex interplay between tradition, innovation, and social context that shaped artistic production.