Bergrede 1582 - 1613

This engraving of the Sermon on the Mount was made by Pieter van der Borcht the Elder around the turn of the 17th century. It depicts Jesus delivering his message of spiritual and ethical teachings to a crowd of listeners, and its message speaks to the social dynamics of the time. Flanders, the region in which van der Borcht lived and worked, was in a period of conflict between the Catholic Spanish rulers and the Protestant Dutch. Religious imagery thus became a powerful tool for promoting particular doctrines. By depicting Jesus as a teacher and spiritual leader, the image emphasizes the importance of faith and morality in a time of social upheaval. It’s hard to know whether the artist was progressive, conservative, or simply trying to stay out of trouble. Understanding the artwork and its context requires historical research. Studying social and religious history, political movements, and institutional powers can help us interpret the meanings and impact of art.