Portret van Marcus van Aviano en dertien voorstellingen van zijn wonderbaarlijke daden 1681

Franciscus Ladomin created this print, 'Portret van Marcus van Aviano en dertien voorstellingen van zijn wonderbaarlijke daden', which translates to ‘Portrait of Marcus of Aviano and thirteen representations of his miraculous deeds’, at an unknown date. Here we see an iconic rendering of the Capuchin friar, Marcus of Aviano, kneeling devoutly with a rosary, set against a backdrop of his supposed miracles. Made in a time of religious fervor, this artwork served to promote the narrative of Marcus as a saintly figure, a key part of the Catholic Church's strategy to maintain spiritual authority. The print itself acts as propaganda, reinforcing religious doctrine and serving as a potent tool in an era defined by religious conflict. Delving deeper into the historical archives of religious orders and pamphlets of the time can give us better insight into how this image functioned within 17th century European society. This gives a broader understanding of the powerful role art played in shaping popular belief.