Landschap met de heilige Christoffel after 1570

Joannes van Doetechum's 'Landscape with Saint Christopher' is an engraving, a print made in the Netherlands in the late 16th century. The image depicts Saint Christopher carrying the Christ Child across a body of water, but it's really about the landscape. In the 16th century, the Netherlands was a hub of cartography and trade. This image reflects the growing interest in landscape as a subject, mirroring the burgeoning sense of national identity tied to the land itself. Note how the geography of the artwork reflects the unique topography of the Netherlands, with its rivers, and coastal regions. Also consider the religious context. The Protestant Reformation was sweeping through Europe at this time and the Catholic Saint Christopher may represent conservative values in a changing world. Art historians use a range of resources, from maps and trade records to religious texts, to fully understand the layers of meaning embedded in this image. What can it tell us about Dutch society in this period?