Kerkgeleerden waaronder Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle en Michele Maio, plaat 29 Possibly 1530 - 1699

Nicolaas Hogenberg created this print, “Kerkgeleerden waaronder Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle en Michele Maio, plaat 29,” sometime around the 16th century. Consider the role and representation of power during the Reformation, as the elite are depicted riding horses, symbols of status, wealth, and authority, which sets them apart from the common people. As learned men, Nicolas Perrenot de Granvelle and Michele Maio were part of a class that played a crucial role in shaping religious and political discourse. Hogenberg emphasizes their status through dress and bearing, reflecting the social hierarchies of the time. The print serves as a visual record of the era’s power dynamics, capturing the intersection of religious authority, social class, and political influence that defined the Reformation. It invites us to reflect on how these dynamics continue to resonate in contemporary society.