Apostel Tomas 1591 - 1629

Johan Barra created this engraving of the Apostle Thomas sometime between 1581 and 1634. During this time, the Dutch Republic was asserting itself on the global stage, a world increasingly connected through trade and religious missions. Here, Thomas isn't just a biblical figure; he embodies the complex relationship between Europe and the world it was encountering. The print depicts Thomas, known for doubting Jesus' resurrection until he touched his wounds, yet there’s a vulnerability in his eyes, a questioning that mirrors the era’s own uncertainties. He carries a builder’s square over his shoulder, perhaps alluding to his role as the patron saint of architects, but also hinting at the construction of new cultural and religious landscapes. Note the exoticized background, complete with what appears to be Adam and Eve, placed within a colonial context. It reflects both a fascination with and a projection onto the ‘new’ worlds. Barra captures a moment of transition, questioning, and confrontation. Thomas’ doubt becomes a metaphor for the era’s struggle to reconcile faith, reason, and the rapidly expanding world.