Titelprent met architectonische rand met kariatiden, een adelaar en engelen met een wapenschild 1565 - 1630

This is an engraving made in Rome by Antonio Tempesta, dating back to the late 16th or early 17th century. Tempesta, an Italian artist active in Rome, produced this title page featuring an architectural border, caryatids, an eagle, and angels holding a coat of arms. During this era, Rome was a vibrant center of religious and artistic activity, deeply influenced by the Counter-Reformation. This context is crucial to understanding the imagery and the function of this title page. The figures and symbols reflect the period’s complex negotiations of power, divinity, and knowledge. Notice how the caryatids – female figures used as architectural supports – blend classical motifs with Christian symbolism. Also consider how the presence of the eagle and angels holding a coat of arms might be interpreted in terms of patronage, power, and religious authority. The combination of text and image invites us to consider the dynamic relationship between faith, martyrdom, and representation during this period.