Bidprentjes 1715 - 1813

This undated print, "Bidprentjes," by erven weduwe Cornelis Stichter, presents a collection of small, devotional images, reflecting the deep-seated religious sentiments of its time. Produced by the widow of Cornelis Stichter, this work offers a glimpse into the intersection of gender and commerce in the early modern period, where women often continued family businesses after the death of their husbands. Each individual image portrays a different saint, offering solace and guidance to the faithful. The repetitive nature of these prints underscores the period's emphasis on personal piety and adherence to religious doctrine, while opening up questions about the emotional intensity of religious devotion. Consider how these images, mass-produced yet deeply personal, would have been used: carried as talismans, offered as prayers, and gifted to loved ones, embodying both collective faith and individual hope. The work speaks to the endurance of faith and the intimate relationship between individuals and their spiritual beliefs.