Portret van H. Augustinus 1702

This is a print of St Augustine by Girard van der Bruggen, made at an unknown date. The image presents Augustine with a halo, in the robes of a bishop, writing at his desk with shelves of books behind him. Prints such as this one, made in Prague, served the Counter-Reformation agenda of the Catholic Habsburgs. They played a key role in circulating imagery of the saints across Europe to affirm Catholic doctrine in the face of Protestant challenges. The elaborate decorative border of flowers and what looks like sea shells gives a sense of the wealth and power of the church. The inscription tells us that Augustine is from Africa, Doctor of the church, and a miracle worker. To understand the power of this image, we need to explore not only the history of the print but the history of the cult of St Augustine and the role of the church in promoting its own saints. By examining these histories, we can understand the crucial public role played by art in early modern Europe.