Gezicht op het Collegio di Propaganda Fide, te Rome 1700 - 1705

Hendrik Elandt's 'Gezicht op het Collegio di Propaganda Fide, te Rome' is an engraving offering a glimpse into 18th-century Rome. This detailed rendering captures not just the architecture of the Collegio, but also the daily life unfolding in the square. In the wake of the Reformation, The Collegio was a linchpin in the Catholic Counter-Reformation, aimed at spreading Catholic doctrine across the globe. The print offers a window into the gendered and raced dimensions of religious outreach. Consider the absence of non-European faces and the subtle assertion of European cultural norms. The emotional and experiential aspect of viewing this image lies in understanding its role within a complex history of religious and cultural exchange, as well as the power dynamics at play during this period. Elandt's work invites us to consider the emotional and personal dimensions of faith, power, and representation. It serves as a reminder that artistic expression is always intertwined with broader societal issues.