Heilige Willibrord 1783

This is Reinier Vinkeles’ engraving of Heilige Willibrord, made sometime between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Vinkeles lived through a period of great political upheaval, including the rise of revolutionary ideas that challenged traditional hierarchies. The print depicts Willibrord, an Anglo-Saxon missionary, known for Christianizing the Frisian lands which are now part of the Netherlands. Willibrord stands as a figure of religious authority, a Bishop of Utrecht. He is shown holding a cross, framed in an oval. Below him are symbols that represent aspects of his legacy and sainthood, like the well he purportedly created. Vinkeles' choice to depict Willibrord resonates with the artist’s historical context. The Dutch Republic was undergoing significant transformations in its national identity. In times of political change, figures like Willibrord can serve as symbols of cultural and religious consolidation, embodying a certain set of values. This engraving connects to themes of religious identity and historical narrative, reflecting on how the past shapes the present.