Mirakel van de drie zussen 1610

Theodoor Galle created this engraving, "Miracle of the Three Sisters," around the turn of the 17th century. The work reflects the intense religious and social climate of the period following the Council of Trent, which significantly impacted the roles and expectations of women within the Catholic Church. The print depicts three kneeling sisters, devoted to the Virgin Mary, who are being rewarded for their piety. Mary, accompanied by angels bearing celestial garments, appears to them in a divine vision. It’s impossible to ignore the ways in which the image promotes the virtues of chastity, obedience, and devotion that were idealized for women. The work is fascinating because, on one hand, it reinforces traditional roles, but on the other, it offers a narrative of female empowerment through religious dedication. For the sisters, their faith becomes a pathway to divine recognition, challenging the patriarchal structures of the time. The personal and emotional dimensions of religious experience are central to understanding its appeal and power.