Balthasar Cossa benoemt zichzelf tot tegenpaus Johannes XXIII 1808

Reinier Vinkeles created this print of Balthasar Cossa, later known as Antipope John XXIII, sometime before 1816. The eye is drawn to Cossa as he stands centrally, partially illuminated, with a cross directly behind him. Notice how Vinkeles uses the stark contrast of light and shadow to create a sense of drama, highlighting Cossa's figure against the architectural backdrop. The composition, with its sharp lines and careful arrangement of figures, evokes a sense of rigid order, yet the very subject undermines this. Cossa's act of self-appointment destabilizes the established hierarchy of the Church. The surrounding clergymen seem frozen in place. Vinkeles, through his manipulation of light and space, draws attention to the performative nature of power and authority. Consider how the architectural setting—columns, arches, and altar—frame Cossa. These elements suggest permanence, yet the act depicted is one of usurpation and change. The print thus presents a fascinating study in contrasts: order versus chaos, light versus shadow, authority versus defiance.