Heilige Johannes van Bridlington 1644

Mattheus Borrekens created this engraving, Heilige Johannes van Bridlington, in the 17th century. Borrekens, working during the Baroque period in Flanders, produced work deeply rooted in the religious and cultural tensions of his time. Here, Borrekens depicts Saint John of Bridlington, an English Augustinian canon who lived in the 14th century. The engraving invites contemplation on the saint’s identity, his connection to both English and Augustinian traditions. We see John standing in the foreground, hands gently crossed, and a dove hovering above him, a symbol of the Holy Spirit. In the upper-left corner, the Holy Trinity appears amidst clouds, underscoring themes of divine presence and spiritual guidance. Consider how the image subtly negotiates ideas about sanctity, English identity, and religious authority during a time of significant religious conflict. It encourages us to reflect on the intertwined nature of faith, identity, and the ever-present search for divine connection.