De paus doet zijn superioriteit over de keizer gelden en verspert hem de weg tot de stad c. 1661

This 17th-century print by Monogrammist GK depicts a potent power dynamic. It's titled “The Pope asserts his superiority over the Emperor and blocks his way to the city.” The image speaks volumes about the historical tensions between the Catholic Church and secular rulers. Here, the Pope physically impedes the Emperor's access, symbolizing the Church's dominance over political authority. This narrative was particularly charged during the Reformation, as religious and political identities were being redefined across Europe. The artist uses the visual language of power – the Pope is firm and resolute, his gesture one of command. The Emperor is stopped in his tracks. Consider how this image reflects the struggles for authority and autonomy, and the very human desire to assert one's position in the world. The print embodies how these contestations played out in the visual culture of the time.