Lichaam van Johannes de Doper 1687

Carel de Moor the Younger made this etching, titled "Lichaam van Johannes de Doper," in the Netherlands, sometime around the late 17th or early 18th century. The image invites us to reflect on the cultural and religious context of its creation. Representing the dead body of Saint John the Baptist, it engages with themes of martyrdom and religious devotion, prevalent in the Netherlands at the time. The institutional history of art also plays a role here. Printmaking was on the rise in the Netherlands at this time. Etchings like this one allowed for wider circulation of images. To fully appreciate this artwork, historians delve into religious texts, social histories of the Netherlands, and the biographies of artists like Moor. By understanding the artwork's socio-historical context, we gain a more comprehensive understanding of its meaning and significance.