De paus op een varken 1680 - 1720

This satirical etching, "De paus op een varken," dating from the 17th or early 18th century, depicts a Pope riding a pig. This anonymous artwork, which now resides in the Rijksmuseum, is an example of the visual culture of the Reformation era. The artist uses a strong symbol of religious controversy: the pig, a symbol of impurity, and the Pope, representative of Catholicism. The inscription in Dutch and Latin reinforces the satire, referencing Martin Luther and the Council of Trent. This image reflects the turbulent religious landscape of the time, with the Reformation challenging traditional Catholic authority.