Buste van de heilige Lucas 1694

This print of Saint Luke, patron saint of artists, was made in Antwerp in 1694 by Gonzales van Heylen after a design by Maes. Prints like this circulated widely and were important in establishing the status of artists within the city and beyond. In the 17th century, Antwerp witnessed intense struggles between religious factions, political powers and economic interests. Artists responded to this changing landscape. Guilds like the Guild of Saint Luke, played a crucial role in regulating artistic production and protecting the interests of their members. Van Heylen’s print is full of the iconography of this powerful guild, underlining Luke’s importance for artists and Antwerp itself. Art historians can study guild records, workshop inventories, and other documents to understand the changing social status and economic conditions of artists. Through this research, we can better understand how institutions shaped artistic production and reception in Antwerp.