De heilige Norbertus legt de gelofte van armoede af. 1622

Cornelis Galle I created this engraving, “De heilige Norbertus legt de gelofte van armoede af,” which translates to “The Saint Norbert makes a vow of poverty". This work invites us to consider the intersections of religious devotion, social identity, and material renunciation in the 17th century. Galle’s image depicts Norbert, surrounded by onlookers, as he prepares to take his vow. Before him lie discarded symbols of wealth and status. This act of renunciation can be seen as a rejection of worldly vanity in favor of spiritual purity, a common theme in religious art of the period. However, it also speaks to the social realities of the time, where the church was a powerful institution, and individuals often sought meaning and purpose through religious service. Note the emotional intensity in Norbert’s face, as he embraces a life of austerity. Galle encourages us to contemplate the personal and societal implications of such a radical choice. How does Norbert's renunciation challenge or reinforce the social hierarchies of his time?