Kruisiging van Christus 1585 - 1586

This engraving, "Crucifixion of Christ," was made by Philips Galle in the Netherlands, sometime between 1563 and 1612. Religious prints were common in Europe at this time, and Galle’s print would have been bought and sold in large numbers. This image demonstrates the power of the Catholic Church at this time, and also perhaps how its iconography was used as a tool of political control. Galle’s print would have likely been displayed in churches or homes, reinforcing the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church during a period of religious tension and conflict between Catholics and Protestants. Art historians look to a variety of sources to better understand art of this period, including inventories of print shops, records of religious institutions, and the writings of theologians and social critics. In doing so, we can better understand the power of art to challenge social norms.