Elymas door Paulus met blindheid getroffen 1820

Thomas Holloway created this engraving, "Elymas door Paulus met blindheid getroffen," sometime before his death in 1827. Holloway lived during a time of significant social and political transformation, including the Enlightenment, and the rise of scientific rationalism, all of which challenged traditional religious beliefs. The work depicts a scene from the Acts of the Apostles, where Paul blinds Elymas, a sorcerer, for opposing his teachings. The composition dramatically stages power dynamics around faith and knowledge. What are the cultural biases embedded in the portrayal of Elymas, the 'other', as an opponent of enlightenment? How does the image reflect the complex relationship between religion, knowledge, and power in Holloway’s time? This engraving invites us to consider the intersections of religious conviction, cultural identity, and the assertion of authority. It compels us to reflect on the historical and ongoing dialogues between faith and reason, and their impact on shaping individual and collective identities.