Triomftocht van Christus met figuren uit het Oude en Nieuwe Testament 1687 - 1694

Nicolas de Larmessin I created this print, "The Triumph of Christ with figures from the Old and New Testament," sometime in the 17th century. During this time, France's relationship to the Catholic Church was complex and evolving. In this print, we see Saint Christopher carrying Christ, surrounded by various religious figures. The procession almost serves as a visual representation of the church's attempt to assert its moral and spiritual authority. There's an undeniable tension in the image; Christopher's burdened posture and the somber expressions of the figures contrast with the implied triumph. Consider the role of the church in shaping social norms and moral codes during Larmessin's time. How does the image negotiate the power dynamics between religious authority and individual experience? Does it reinforce traditional representations of religious figures or offer alternative narratives of faith and devotion? The figures seem to be caught between adherence to religious doctrine and their own personal understanding of faith.