Geloof 1614 - 1615

Pieter Feddes van Harlingen created this print titled 'Geloof,' or 'Faith,' in the Netherlands. Although undated, the print likely originates from the mid-17th century. It allegorically depicts the Christian virtue of faith, embodying abstract ideals through human form. The figure holds a cross, the central symbol of Christian belief, and what appears to be a flail, referencing the power of punishment and judgement. Prints like this one were widely circulated across the Netherlands. They were often commissioned by religious institutions or wealthy patrons as a means of reinforcing social order, by presenting religious virtues as ideals to aspire to. It's important to remember that artistic production wasn't simply a matter of individual creativity, but was deeply entwined with the social and political structures of the time. By delving into archival records, religious texts, and social histories, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, faith, and society in the Dutch Golden Age.