Catharina's visioen van Christus, Petrus, Paulus en Johannes de evangelist 1603

Cornelis Galle I created this engraving, Catharina's Vision of Christ, Peter, Paul, and John the Evangelist, sometime between the late 16th and mid-17th century. Galle was part of a prolific family of artists operating in Antwerp, a city which, during the period, remained Catholic, deeply impacting the subject and style of the artwork. The engraving depicts a moment of religious ecstasy, focusing on the figure of Catharina, who at only six years of age, has a vision. Her youth and gender intersect with traditional representations of female mystics who are often portrayed as experiencing direct encounters with the divine, thus challenging the patriarchal religious structures of the period. The intense, intimate nature of the scene evokes feelings of awe and wonder, inviting the viewer to contemplate the mysteries of faith and the power of personal religious experience. The artist uses detailed engraving techniques to capture the ethereal quality of the vision, contrasting it with the earthly realm. This contrast enhances the spiritual impact, drawing us into Catharina's deeply personal moment of revelation.