Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Council of Trent 1565

"Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Council of Trent" (1565), an anonymous engraving housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures the grandeur of the Council of Trent. This historic event, convened by Pope Paul III, sought to reform the Catholic Church in response to the Protestant Reformation. The engraving depicts the council hall, with its columns and arches, filled with numerous figures representing the cardinals, bishops, and theologians who participated in the debates. This detailed and historically accurate depiction of the Council of Trent, a pivotal moment in the history of Christianity, provides a valuable visual record of this significant event.