Allegorie op het aanbidden van kwaad binnen de rooms-katholieke kerk 1721

Bernard Picart's etching "Allegorie op het aanbidden van kwaad binnen de rooms-katholieke kerk" (1721), currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, offers a critical commentary on the Catholic Church. The print depicts a dramatic scene of religious figures engaged in an act of worship, with the devil presiding over the gathering. Picart's use of detailed lines and contrasting light and shadow emphasizes the tension and moral ambiguity of the subject matter. This etching is a powerful example of the Enlightenment-era critique of religious institutions, challenging traditional beliefs and power structures.