The Incredulity of Thomas c. 1622

Hendrick ter Brugghen painted ‘The Incredulity of Thomas’ on canvas sometime in the early 17th century. Brugghen was part of a group of Dutch painters influenced by the Italian Baroque master Caravaggio. The painting depicts a biblical scene where the Apostle Thomas doubts Jesus' resurrection, demanding to touch his wounds before believing. Brugghen’s rendition, with its stark realism and dramatic lighting, invites viewers to question the nature of belief and evidence. Made in the Dutch Republic, a Protestant society that valued empirical observation, the painting reflects a cultural emphasis on tangible proof. Simultaneously, it challenges the established iconography of Catholic art, where faith was often portrayed as unquestioning acceptance. By presenting Thomas's skepticism, Brugghen subtly critiques the power structures within religious institutions, inviting a more personal and critical engagement with faith. Art historians consult theological texts and social histories to understand the painting's complex cultural and political implications.