Monument voor het derde eeuwfeest van de Hervorming, 1517-1817 1724 - 1817

This print commemorating the third centenary of the Reformation was made in the Netherlands, around 1817. It presents the Reformation as a triumph of light and knowledge over ignorance and oppression. We see a monument adorned with portraits of key figures, such as Martin Luther, under a gothic arch. At its center, figures draped in classical robes receive the light, while at the base, symbols of papal authority are destroyed. The crowd to the right, also in classical dress, celebrates the newfound enlightenment. In the background, a mountain with figures alludes to the Old Testament. The image creates meaning through references to both classical antiquity, and the scriptures, aligning the reformers with ideals of reason and progress. It reflects the cultural context of the early 19th century, when the Netherlands, after a period of French rule, sought to reassert its national identity through its Protestant heritage. Historical archives from religious organizations might shed light on the reception of this print at the time. The meaning of this work lies not only in its imagery but in its role within the cultural and institutional history of the Netherlands.