Helgener med krukker omkring fontæne 16th century

Jan Deys made this drawing of saints with jugs around a fountain sometime in the 16th century. Religious imagery was common then, but this wasn't just about illustrating faith; it reflected the social and cultural life of the time. Consider the setting: a public fountain. Fountains were central to community life in the Netherlands, providing water for all and acting as meeting places. By placing saints in this everyday scene, Deys blurs the line between the sacred and the secular. Is he suggesting that holiness can be found in everyday acts of community, such as sharing water? To understand this artwork better, we might look at civic records from the Netherlands. What role did public spaces play in social life? How did the Reformation influence the way religious figures were depicted? Through such historical research, we see art not just as a matter of personal expression, but as a reflection of broader social values.