H. Agnes 1615 - 1676

Theodor Matham created this print of Saint Agnes sometime in the 17th century in the Netherlands. This image speaks to the complex interplay between religious piety and earthly power that characterized the Dutch Golden Age. Saint Agnes, the patron saint of chastity, is rendered with a sensuousness that seems to contradict her symbolism, but her dress aligns with the period's fashion. The classical architecture in the background is a deliberate choice, linking the saint to the grandeur of ancient civilizations, reflecting the Dutch Republic's self-image as the New Rome. The presence of the lamb, Agnes's traditional attribute, serves as a visual reminder of her martyrdom. Examining city archives from the era and works commissioned by religious orders would help us to understand how these images were used to reinforce both spiritual and social values in a rapidly changing society. By understanding the social structures of Matham’s time, we see how art was central to the construction of public values.