Hoogmis 1725

Bernard Picart created this engraving, titled ‘Hoogmis,’ sometime between 1696 and 1733. Picart, a Frenchman who later settled in the Netherlands, produced art during a time of significant religious and political upheaval. ‘Hoogmis,’ which translates to High Mass, offers us insight into the highly ritualized and hierarchical world of the Catholic Church. Consider the role of spectacle and performance in maintaining social order during this period. The emphasis on ceremony and the visual display of power were central to how the church asserted its authority. Picart’s engraving meticulously captures the architecture and the elaborate garments, and the performative aspects of the mass. Yet, for those excluded, such as women, and those of lower social status, these grand displays might have felt alienating. Picart’s work serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between religious institutions, power, and the lived experiences of individuals.