The Young Saint John the Baptist c. 1588

Hendrick Goltzius created this chiaroscuro woodcut, "The Young Saint John the Baptist," in the Netherlands. Goltzius was a master printmaker, and this work exemplifies the technical virtuosity that made him famous in the late 16th century. The print offers a window into the religious and cultural climate of the time. We see the figure of the young saint, but how might his youth speak to contemporary ideas of purity, innocence, and divine calling? Consider the context of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, and how images like this served to reinforce religious doctrine and piety. The presence of the lamb, a clear reference to Christ, positions John as the herald of the coming Messiah. To fully appreciate Goltzius's print, we might turn to period religious texts, art treatises, and social histories. These resources can help us understand the public role of religious imagery and its impact on shaping belief and behavior. We can consider the cultural values and institutional forces that shaped its creation and reception.