Priester Joost, opgehangen door de geuzen te Den Briel, 1571 1667

This engraving depicts Priest Joost, a Carthusian monk, made anonymously in 1571. The halo, a radiant circle behind Joost’s head, has roots stretching back to ancient sun worship. The halo signifies divinity, purity, and spiritual illumination— a visual declaration of Joost’s saintly status. He holds a chalice, an unmistakable symbol of the Holy Grail and the Eucharist, representing sacrifice and the promise of salvation. This sacred vessel echoes through centuries of art, from early Christian mosaics to Renaissance paintings. Yet, the background reveals a stark contrast: the priest’s execution. This juxtaposition creates a profound tension. The chalice and halo, archetypes of sanctity, clash with the brutal reality of his martyrdom. It illustrates how symbols are continuously reshaped by the currents of history and the weight of cultural memory. The horror of the execution charges the symbols with deeper meaning and invites us to consider the complex interplay between faith, violence, and remembrance.