Johannes de Doper in de gevangenis c. 1620 - 1625

Cornelis Galle I made this engraving of John the Baptist in prison sometime between the late 16th and mid-17th century. It offers an intimate look into a biblical narrative, framed by the visual and cultural codes of the artist's time. Made in the Netherlands, this image reflects the religious and political tensions of the period. The Reformation had challenged the Catholic Church's authority, leading to new interpretations of scripture and the role of religious figures. Here, John the Baptist’s imprisonment becomes a symbol of resistance against unjust authority. The inclusion of contemporary armor and architectural details grounds the biblical story in the viewer's present, and the crowd at the rear of the print emphasizes John's public importance despite his imprisonment. To fully understand this work, we might turn to period pamphlets and theological debates to discover how John the Baptist was seen at this time. The history of the Rijksmuseum, where this print is housed, also provides insights into the collecting and display practices that have shaped the understanding of this artwork over centuries.