In 't Jaar 1566 c. 1789 - 1810

This drawing, made in the Netherlands in 1566 by an anonymous artist, depicts the destruction of religious statues. The year 1566 was a time of great religious and political upheaval in the Netherlands. The Beeldenstorm, or Iconoclastic Fury, saw Calvinists attacking Catholic churches and destroying religious art and symbols. This drawing vividly captures that event, revealing a moment of intense social and religious conflict. The destruction of the statues was not merely an act of vandalism, but a political statement against the perceived corruption and abuses of the Catholic Church. By studying historical documents, theological treatises, and social histories, we can understand how such an act of iconoclasm could occur. The image reminds us that art is always made in a specific time and place, shaped by social forces.