Heilige Thomas van Aquino in gesprek met een crucifix 1610

Curator: Cornelis Boel produced this engraving, "Saint Thomas Aquinas in conversation with a crucifix", around 1610. The print depicts a moment of divine affirmation. Editor: My first impression is one of striking contrast. The textures—the smooth, almost ethereal light, against the sharp, definitive lines that create form. It lends a dramatic flair, doesn’t it? Curator: It does, and within the socio-political lens, this print served as a visual assertion of religious orthodoxy during the Counter-Reformation. Aquinas, a towering intellectual figure, is shown receiving direct validation from Christ, reinforcing the Church's teachings on the Eucharist and combating dissenting theological views of the time. Editor: You're right, there is a strong assertion here. Artistically, I'm drawn to how Boel uses line to create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. See the radiant beam connecting Aquinas to the crucifix; the varying line weights and densities not only define the figures and setting but also express a hierarchy of spiritual importance. The crucifix dominates compositionally. Curator: The beam's inscription also holds critical contextual weight. “You have written well of me, Thomas.” This utterance reinforces the doctrine of transubstantiation, challenged by Protestant reformers. Moreover, the inscription—and Boel’s entire engraving—can be read as a justification of theological discourse amid broader intellectual challenges. Editor: I appreciate the symmetry in the composition as well—the way Aquinas kneels, mirroring the posture of Christ on the cross. Even the placement of the texts contributes; the open book on the table next to Thomas is compositionally matched by the inscribed beam projecting from Christ, implying a dialogue, both intellectual and divine. Curator: Precisely. When examined closely, "Saint Thomas Aquinas in conversation with a crucifix" transcends mere aesthetics; it operates as a visual instrument affirming doctrine and advocating for specific socio-religious ideologies. Editor: Agreed. Beyond just historical narrative, the beauty is undeniable. Thank you for offering an approach rooted in historical and theoretical understandings of social, political and religious power in Boel's work. Curator: Thank you! Examining the artistic skill has revealed much. It is a work imbued with rich layers of meaning!