Katholieke doop door een priester / Katholieke doop door een vroedvrouw 1722 - 1727

This 18th-century etching by Dutch artist Bernard Picart, titled *Katholieke doop door een priester / Katholieke doop door een vroedvrouw* (Catholic Baptism by a Priest / Catholic Baptism by a Midwife), illustrates two contrasting practices of baptism: one performed by a priest in a church and the other by a midwife at home. The work, now in the Rijksmuseum, uses detailed engraving to depict the two scenes, showcasing the differing rituals and social contexts of baptism in 18th-century Europe. The visual narrative contrasts the formal setting of the church with the intimate atmosphere of the domestic scene, highlighting the changing practices and evolving role of religious rites in society.