Portret van Marcus van Aulano 1681

Jacob Peeters etched this portrait of Marcus van Aulano, a Capuchin friar, during a period of religious and political upheaval in Europe. Portraits of religious figures during the 17th century often served as tools for shaping public perception of individuals. This image presents van Aulano in a state of pious devotion, inviting the viewer to contemplate the subject's spirituality. Yet the very act of portraying a Capuchin monk raises questions about the intersection of religious practice and the construction of identity. Consider the historical context: the rise of the Capuchin order as part of the Counter-Reformation. How does the image speak to the cultural tensions and power dynamics of the time? Do you find yourself drawn into the emotional intensity of his devotion? Peeters' etching invites us to reflect on faith and identity.