Op zijn sterfbed wijdt Basilius waardige volgelingen 1804

Reinier Vinkeles made this engraving, "On his deathbed, Basilius consecrates worthy followers," in the Netherlands, most likely at the end of the 18th century. Here we see a saint on his deathbed, surrounded by monks. The Dutch Republic of this era was a place of intense religious debate, as well as a cosmopolitan center for the printing and distribution of books. The print depicts a scene of religious devotion which would have resonated with some audiences. But it could also have served as an object of critique. During this time, the Batavian Republic, influenced by the French Revolution, was forming. In 1796 the Dutch States-General proclaimed equality for all religious denominations. The print can be seen in the context of debates about the role of religion in society. Understanding this image involves research into the complex politics of religion, commerce, and printmaking in the Netherlands at the cusp of modernity.