Moord op de protestanten te Sens, 1562 1570

Curator: So, here we have Jean Perrissin's "Massacre of Protestants at Sens, 1562," an engraving from 1570. It depicts a pretty brutal scene. Editor: It's incredibly detailed. The chaos of the figures fighting, the bodies in the river... it’s quite a disturbing depiction. What strikes you most when you look at it? Curator: I'm struck by how Perrissin uses this cityscape to frame a narrative of religious conflict. We’re not just seeing a historical event; we’re seeing a deliberate construction of communal violence. Notice how the architecture almost seems to participate. Do you get a sense of who is telling the story and how they’re framing these events? Editor: It seems to portray the Protestants as victims, attacked by a mob within the city. But being a print, it likely had a wide circulation. Did viewers at the time interpret it the same way? Curator: That's a key question. Prints like this were often propaganda tools. Consider the context: France was deeply divided, with religious tensions fueling conflict. Perrissin's perspective isn't neutral; his work contributes to a larger discourse about religious identity and power. Do you see anything in the image that suggests it was made for a specific audience, or to further a specific belief? Editor: Well, I guess it presents the perspective of the victims in vivid detail. But it doesn't give reasons or details, just images, as propaganda might do. Curator: Exactly! These types of historical records can show the relationship between society, politics, and individual experience in times of struggle. Hopefully, we understand that better through Jean Perrissin’s perspective. Editor: Absolutely. It is a powerful lesson and important reminder. Thanks for sharing your perspective!