St. Maartens-steen te Bolsward, ca. 1150 1849

Tiemen Hooiberg made this drawing of the St. Maartens-steen in Bolsward around 1150. Hooiberg’s work is a crucial record of the social and religious life of the Dutch in the Middle Ages, and helps us consider the role of art in shaping social identity. This image speaks to a culture deeply rooted in Christian faith, depicting scenes that would have been immediately recognizable to the local population. Carved imagery like this served as a visual textbook, teaching religious stories in a time when literacy was limited. The prominence of Saint Martin, the namesake of the stone, also points to the saint’s importance in the region's spiritual and cultural identity. To fully understand the cultural significance of this stone, historical records, religious texts, and local folklore can be examined. Art like this provides an intimate look into the beliefs and values of a community. The image testifies to the complex relationship between art, religion, and society.