Le voyage de Pierre / Pieter's reis 1833 - 1911

"Le voyage de Pierre / Pieter's reis" is a print made by Brepols & Dierckx zoon. The series of images illustrate a narrative, reminiscent of a morality tale, charting Pierre’s journey and encounters with temptation and adversity. There is a sense of unease in the way the images convey Pierre's encounters with figures of authority, such as the clergy, and supernatural entities like devils. These vivid representations of Pierre's trials reflect the cultural anxieties around morality and the individual's struggle against sin, but what are the class dynamics at play? How do Pierre's encounters with figures of power mirror the social hierarchies of the time, and how might viewers from different social strata interpret this journey? The vivid imagery and narrative arc invites us to contemplate the timeless themes of temptation, redemption, and the human condition, while prompting reflection on the historical and social contexts that shaped the creation and reception of this compelling piece.