Portret van Guillaume de La Brunetière 1691

Jacob Gole's 1691 engraving, "Portret van Guillaume de La Brunetière," depicts the Bishop of Saintes with a sardonic expression. The image is a satirical commentary on the hypocrisy of religious leaders. La Brunetière is shown wearing a cross, but the text below his portrait suggests that his piety is merely a facade. The inscription reads "Si ie porte la croix avec la passion, Cela ne s'ert que de pretexte. Et si fur cette croix ie prens souvent mon texte, C'est plus pour le profit, que par devotion" Gole's work is a powerful example of the use of art to criticize social and religious institutions. The artwork's sharp satire would have resonated with audiences in the 17th century, and continues to provoke thought today.