St. Stephanus Girandi 1645 - 1690

Conrad Lauwers made this print, St. Stephanus Girandi, sometime in the second half of the 17th century. Lauwers was part of a generation of artists who came of age in the shadow of Peter Paul Rubens's influential career. This print depicts a statue of St. Stephanus Girandi, a monk. Monastic life during this time was shaped by specific gender roles, hierarchical structures, and expectations for piety. Lauwers uses the print medium to explore themes of devotion, but he also engages with contemporary issues of identity and representation. The subtle rendering of the monk's features invites us to consider the humanity of the figure behind the religious image. This work provides insight into the spiritual and cultural values of the 17th century, asking us to consider how religious identity was constructed and perceived within the social context of the time.