Martelaarschap van Mattias 1576 - 1646

This print, made by an anonymous artist, depicts the martyrdom of Saint Matthias. It’s a scene of violence, but set within a carefully constructed classical architectural space. Prints like this one circulated widely in the 16th and 17th centuries. Made in the Netherlands, this particular print reflects the religious and political upheavals of the time, as the Dutch fought for independence from Spanish rule and religious freedom from the Catholic Church. Matthias, a relatively obscure apostle, is here presented as a figure of resistance, martyred for his faith. The print uses a visual language steeped in classical imagery, yet it also reflects the specific concerns of its time, and the artist subtly critiques the institutions of power through the lens of religious martyrdom. To fully understand the print's meaning, we can draw on a range of historical sources, from religious texts to political pamphlets, to understand the complex interplay of faith, power, and resistance in the early modern world.