Vogelvluchtaanzicht op het Sint-Catharina of Margareta-klooster, 1544 1729

This is an aerial view of the Sint-Catharina or Margareta-klooster made in 1544 by an anonymous artist. Consider how this image reflects the complex position of religious women in the 16th century. The cloistered life offered women an alternative to marriage, providing opportunities for education and autonomy, yet it also imposed strict rules and limited their interaction with the outside world. The enclosed nature of the convent in this image mirrors that sense of being both protected and confined. The image, by an unknown artist, invites us to consider the hidden histories and untold stories of the women who inhabited this space. What were their daily lives like? What did they think and feel? What did they contribute to society? While this print offers a glimpse into the physical structure of the convent, it also prompts us to reflect on the complexities of female identity, agency, and spirituality in the early modern period.