Evangelist met boek en veer c. 1632 - 1682

This engraving of an evangelist, quill in hand, was made by an anonymous artist, and is now held in the Rijksmuseum. Its cultural significance emerges when we consider the context of religious imagery in art. The depiction of religious figures has historically been intertwined with power dynamics. In the past, the Church was a major patron of the arts, using imagery to convey religious messages, but also to reinforce its authority. The evangelist here, writing on a cloud, speaks to divine inspiration, a common motif. But also raises questions. Who gets to interpret and disseminate religious knowledge? How do such images influence religious beliefs and practices? Investigating archival records, religious texts, and the history of the Church, can illuminate the complex relationship between art, religion, and society. This engraving invites us to reflect on the ways religious imagery has shaped cultural values and social norms.