Heilige Albertus 1644

This is Mattheus Borrekens's engraving of Saint Albert, made sometime in the mid-17th century. The image presents us with an idealized depiction of the Saint, complete with a halo and the regalia of a Bishop. But how did such images function in their time? The Netherlands, where this print was made, was in the throes of religious conflict at this time, caught between a Catholic past and a rising Protestantism. Prints like this, with their reverential depiction of Catholic saints, were vital tools for maintaining a sense of tradition. They would have been circulated among the faithful as a way of promoting a particular set of values. As art historians, we can study such images alongside other historical materials, such as pamphlets, books, and church records, to understand how they were used and interpreted by different audiences. By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex social and religious landscape of the time.