Apostel Paulus en Barnabas genezen een verlamde in Lystra 1697

This engraving depicts the Apostle Paul and Barnabas healing a paralyzed man in Lystra, a scene from the Acts of the Apostles. Produced in the Netherlands, it reflects the religious and artistic climate of the time. The image uses visual cues to create meaning. Paul’s outstretched hand, directing divine power, contrasts with the man's supplicating pose. The surrounding architecture and classical references point to a world where early Christian beliefs and Roman cultural traditions intertwined. The engraving also illustrates the central role of the church and its members. Art history invites questions about religious authority and social order. Was this image intended to encourage personal piety, or to illustrate the importance of community and the power of religious institutions? By researching the social history of the Netherlands, we can better understand the complex relationship between religion, art, and society.