Allerheiligenvoorstelling c. 1612 - 1616

Theodoor Galle made this engraving, *All Saints* or *Allerheiligenvoorstelling*, in Antwerp around the turn of the 17th century. It depicts a heavenly court populated by a vast array of saints and martyrs. But beyond its devotional function, this print participated in the intense religious and political debates of its time. The visual codes are evident in the hierarchical arrangement of figures. The Holy Trinity sits atop the globe, symbolising divine authority over the world. The saints, identifiable by their attributes and vestments, form a diverse yet unified body. Galle made this print during the Counter-Reformation, when the Catholic Church sought to reaffirm its authority amidst the rise of Protestantism. Prints like this served as powerful tools for disseminating Catholic doctrine and visualising the Church’s vision of a unified Christendom. The work reflects the social conditions of its time, acting as a statement of religious orthodoxy and a call for unity in the face of division. To fully appreciate the meaning of the image we need to research the historical context and the institutional forces shaping its production.