Dood van Saffira 1633 - 1700

Jean Pesne created this engraving, entitled "Death of Sapphira", in France in the 17th century. It captures a moment of divine retribution within a classical architectural setting, reflecting the era's fascination with both religious narratives and classical antiquity. Pesne's image visually conveys the power of religious authority through the figure of Saint Peter, who condemns Sapphira for her deceit. The dramatic composition and the emotional responses of the surrounding figures underscore the moral lesson. This print can be situated within a broader cultural context of religious art used to instruct and reinforce social norms. To understand Pesne's work fully, we might investigate the prints and engravings market in 17th-century France, the social function of religious imagery, and the role of institutions like the church in shaping artistic production and consumption. Through this we can appreciate how art is embedded in, and reflective of, its social and institutional contexts.