'tgeslacht Marie en d'onfanckenisse Iesu 1646

This is a page from Jan Philipsz Schabaelje's illustrated book, printed in the Netherlands in the 17th century. This book defends the sanctity of Mary and Jesus, using the written word, rather than the image, as its primary tool. At this time in the Dutch Republic, the Protestant Reformation had changed the role of religious imagery. In Catholic churches, images of saints and biblical scenes were used to inspire devotion and teach scripture to a largely illiterate population. In contrast, Protestant reformers called for a rejection of religious imagery, stating that it was idolatrous, as it distracted from the personal relationship with God. This book is not overtly challenging the shift in religious doctrine, but it does offer a challenge to its prevailing aesthetic. The author is very clearly invested in the role of religious narrative in Dutch society. To fully appreciate Schabaelje's place in Dutch history, we need to look at historical texts to fully understand his aims, motivations, and impact on Dutch culture.