Doop van Christus 1598 - 1618

Jan Collaert II created this engraving of “The Baptism of Christ” sometime around the turn of the 17th century. Collaert was part of a prolific family of printmakers in Antwerp, a city then caught in the religious and political conflicts of the Dutch Revolt. This image, like many produced in Antwerp at the time, draws heavily on established visual codes to convey religious meaning. The dove, the halo, the posture of John the Baptist, are all instantly recognizable symbols. However, by emphasizing the ritual of baptism, this print also subtly engages with contemporary debates about religious authority and the role of sacraments. Was baptism a performative rite carried out by a priest, or an inward spiritual transformation? To fully understand this print, we might consult theological treatises from the period, records of artistic patronage, and even maps of Antwerp to understand the location of Collaert’s workshop. The meaning of this image is inseparable from the social and institutional context in which it was made and consumed.