Christus en Maria en Johannes de Doper met heiligen Paulus en Catharina van Alexandrië 1520 - 1610

This print of Christ with Mary and John the Baptist, Saints Paul and Catherine of Alexandria, was made by an anonymous artist. It’s interesting to consider the public role of this kind of imagery in its time. Look at the way this image creates meaning. We see visual codes relating to various figures in the Christian faith. In the top register, Christ is flanked by Mary and God. In the bottom, we can see John the Baptist and Saint Paul. Prints like this would have been produced across Europe, including in the Netherlands where it is now held. During the early modern period, prints played an important role in the dissemination of religious ideas. They were more easily reproducible and more accessible to a wider audience than paintings. This allowed for the widespread distribution of religious iconography. To fully understand this artwork, we might consult a range of historical resources. What can we learn about the artist? What was the role of religion in their community? The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.