Visioen van Reginald van Bologna 1611

This engraving, "Vision of Reginald of Bologna," was made by Theodoor Galle around the turn of the 17th century in the Netherlands, then a center of artistic printmaking. It depicts a miraculous episode in the life of a Dominican friar. The image reflects the Counter-Reformation's renewed emphasis on religious experience. Reginald lies sick in bed, but he's visited by the Virgin Mary, accompanied by saints. She holds a vessel, perhaps containing healing oil. This vision reaffirms the power of divine intervention and the importance of religious orders like the Dominicans. The visual language is one of hierarchy and authority. Angels float above, while the figures on earth are arranged in a clear social order. Understanding this print requires delving into the religious and political climate of the time. The Counter-Reformation sought to revitalize the Catholic Church in response to the Protestant Reformation, and prints like these played a key role in disseminating its message. Researching religious history and the history of printing can help us grasp the artwork’s full significance.