Prentbijbel met voorstellingen van het Oude en Nieuwe Testament 1582 - 1613

Pieter van der Borcht created this book of Old and New Testament images sometime between 1545 and 1608. In 16th-century Europe, the printing press was still a relatively new invention, and illustrated books like this one played a significant role in disseminating religious ideas and shaping popular beliefs. Consider the social conditions that fostered the creation of these so-called picture Bibles. The Reformation had begun to challenge the Catholic Church's authority, and the rise of Protestantism led to new ways of interpreting the Bible and new forms of religious expression. Artists like van der Borcht found themselves working in a rapidly changing religious and political landscape. To understand this book better, we can consult historical documents, theological treatises, and other visual sources from the period. By situating art within its specific social and institutional context, we gain a deeper appreciation of its power to challenge or reinforce existing social norms.