Kruisiging van Petrus 1783

Adam von Bartsch made this print, "The Crucifixion of Peter," sometime around 1800, we're not exactly sure when. The image depicts the apostle Peter being crucified upside down. It is a depiction of religious martyrdom, which was a popular subject in art, especially during the counter-reformation, but, here, it's also a reflection of social upheaval. Bartsch was working during the Enlightenment and the rise of revolutionary ideas. The print is not just a religious scene but a commentary on authority and the challenging of established norms. Look at the figures. Some seem indifferent, while others are actively involved in the act. This contrast raises questions about individual responsibility within a larger social structure. And let's not forget that prints like this one circulated widely. They were a form of visual media that helped shape public opinion and spread new ideas. To understand this print better, we would need to look at the history of religious imagery, the politics of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and the role of prints in disseminating information.