Studie van een biddende man (Petrus?) 1584 - 1589

This is Hendrick Goltzius’s “Study of a Praying Man,” a drawing made with pen in brown and red ink with brown wash. Goltzius was a leading Northern Netherlandish printmaker, draftsman, and painter. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Netherlands was a place of religious upheaval. The Protestant Reformation challenged the authority of the Catholic Church, leading to conflicts between Catholics and Protestants. Religious imagery became a powerful tool for expressing and reinforcing religious beliefs. In this environment, Goltzius, who converted to Anabaptism, likely saw his drawings as part of a broader effort to promote religious devotion. While produced for a private purpose, this study sheet is an important insight into Goltzius’s wider artistic practice. Art historians study the artist's biography, the history of religious movements, and the social and political context of the time to deepen our understanding of artworks like this one. This helps us understand how art reflects and shapes cultural values.