Petrus, Paulus en de Katholieke Kerk 1610

This engraving was made in 1610 in Antwerp and served as the frontispiece for “Annales Ecclesiastici”, a historical work on the Catholic Church. The image employs symbolic language to assert the authority of the Church in the face of emerging challenges to its power. Saints Peter and Paul flank the title, standing for the Church’s foundation and its teachings. Below, chained figures representing heresy and schism are shown defeated, symbolizing the Church’s triumph over its enemies. The figure of the Church is seated in triumph holding a cross and chalice. The dove above her head represents the Holy Spirit, and the keys dangling from the shackles of heresy are likely the keys to the kingdom of heaven, the symbol of Papal authority. As historians, we can use sources like theological treatises, political pamphlets, and records of religious debates from the period to better understand the cultural and political context that gave rise to this image. The meaning of art is deeply embedded in its historical moment and shaped by social and institutional forces.