Heilige Servatius van Maastricht door engelen ten hemel gedragen 1837

Theodoor Schaepkens created this print of Saint Servatius of Maastricht being carried to heaven by angels in the Netherlands in the 19th century. Servatius was one of the first bishops in the area now known as the Netherlands, around 340 AD. The print draws on a long tradition of Catholic imagery showing saints ascending to heaven, surrounded by angels, with a focus on miraculous events and divine intervention. The cultural references are clear. Servatius is shown rising above earthly concerns, represented by the city of Maastricht at the bottom. In this context, images like these reinforced the power and authority of the Church, as well as its ability to intercede between the earthly and divine realms. To better understand the role of images like these, we can explore the extensive archives of the Catholic Church, the records of local religious orders, and the writings of religious scholars, all of which help to contextualize the making and reception of art within specific social and institutional frameworks.