The Death of Saint Anthony, surrounded by saints on his deathbed 1649

Peeter Clouwet created this engraving, “The Death of Saint Anthony,” in Antwerp around the mid-17th century. The image depicts Anthony the Great, the father of monasticism, on his deathbed, surrounded by mourning monks. Prints like this one played a crucial role in shaping religious culture in the Dutch Golden Age. Produced in multiples, they circulated widely, disseminating Catholic imagery and reinforcing religious values in the wake of the Reformation. The emotional intensity of the scene—the grief-stricken faces, the limp body of the saint—aimed to inspire piety and devotion in viewers. The inclusion of specific saints, objects and architectural details would carry symbolic weight, speaking to contemporary debates and religious orders. To fully understand the print’s significance, we can consult period devotional literature, the histories of monastic orders, and the visual culture of Antwerp. By examining these sources, we gain insight into the complex interplay between art, religion, and society in the 17th century.