Thomas wordt door zijn broers ontvoert 1610

Cornelis Boel made this print depicting Thomas being abducted by his brothers some time around the turn of the 17th century. As an early modern print, it was designed to be reproduced and widely disseminated. Images like this helped to create and reinforce social norms and hierarchies. This print visualizes the story of Thomas, who left his noble life to join a monastery, much to the displeasure of his family. The image presents a clear moral lesson about the conflict between earthly power and spiritual devotion. Boel's print reflects the religious and social values of the time. The detailed rendering of the figures and the landscape, combined with the Latin text, would have appealed to an educated audience. Understanding this print requires placing it within the context of religious art, the social role of the nobility, and the cultural values of the 17th century. Further research into the lives of saints and the history of religious orders in the Low Countries would help to contextualize it better.