Adoration of the Kings 17th-18th century

Editor: Here we have Robert van Auden-Aerd’s “Adoration of the Kings.” It's a print, quite small, and the figures are densely packed, creating a sense of reverence. What strikes you about its historical context? Curator: I see a clear demonstration of the Church’s power to commission and disseminate imagery. Prints like this allowed for the widespread distribution of religious narratives, shaping popular piety. The depiction of kings, kneeling, reinforces social hierarchies divinely ordained. Editor: So, it’s not just a religious image but a political one, too? Curator: Exactly. The artist is making a statement about the Church's influence and the reigning social order. It's a visual sermon, accessible to many. Editor: I never considered how easily images could be reproduced and used as a form of propaganda back then. Curator: Precisely. The politics of imagery. Something to always consider.