Bonifatius laat het heilige woud omhakken, ca. 740 1853 - 1861

"Bonifatius laat het heilige woud omhakken" (Boniface Orders the Holy Forest to be Cut Down) is a historical black and white lithograph created by Christiaan Lodewijk van Kesteren in 1853-1861. The scene depicts the Christian missionary Saint Boniface in the center of the image, surrounded by followers and wielding an ax to fell a sacred oak tree in the Germanic forest. This engraving, located in the Rijksmuseum, is a powerful visual narrative of the spread of Christianity in Europe and the conflict between paganism and faith. The contrast between the ax-wielding saint and the awe of the forest emphasizes the transformative power of religious zeal. The historical context adds another layer of meaning to the artwork, offering a glimpse into a significant moment in European history.