Embleem met geestelijke en man die tot God en de heiligen bidden met hun verzoek om in deugd te mogen leven 1620 - 1649

This emblem, made by an anonymous artist, presents a spiritual and moral appeal through a man and cleric in prayer to God. The image is steeped in the religious and social constructs of its time. At first glance, the detailed engraving appears to be a straightforward call to piety. Yet, consider the historical context: religious emblems like this were deployed as tools to reinforce societal norms and expectations. Who was this piety meant for? What was it meant to suppress? The visual hierarchy reinforces a world where spiritual ascension is achieved through a very particular, gendered, and classed performance. The act of prayer—often framed as a deeply personal dialogue—becomes a public demonstration of adherence to religious doctrine. The artwork urges one to reflect on the emotional weight of religious expectation.