Reverse Copy of Jésus est Percé d'une Lance (Jesus is Pierced with a Spear), from La Petite Passion (The Little Passion) 1624 - 1700

This is an anonymous reverse copy of an engraving from the Little Passion, depicting the piercing of Jesus with a spear. We can imagine it was likely made in Europe around the 16th or 17th century. The image presents a dense crowd scene around the crucifixion. The flags and spears point to the way this subject could be seen through the lens of military power and conquest. Religious imagery like this played a crucial role in shaping social identities. The print was a means for disseminating stories of faith, but was also used to reinforce certain power structures. Its display in homes or public spaces was far from a neutral act, but was a statement about a person's religious and social affiliations. By studying the symbolism of the image and understanding its historical context, we can start to understand the complex interplay between art, religion, and society in early modern Europe. Researching the printmaking industry and religious institutions of the period can reveal more. Art, in this sense, is never just about aesthetics; it's a reflection of the world in which it was created and consumed.