Portretten van zeven bisschoppen van Engeland, 1688 1688 - 1693

This print, Portretten van zeven bisschoppen van Engeland, was made in 1688 by Pieter Schenk. In it, seven portraits are arranged in circular frames and presented in detailed engraving. The monochromatic palette gives a somber tone to the image, emphasizing the texture of the paper and the fine lines defining each face. The composition is structured around the central portrait of William Sancroft, the Archbishop of Canterbury. This placement underscores his importance, while the arrangement of the other bishops around him suggests a hierarchy. Symbols adjacent to each portrait—such as the image of the Tower and the scales of justice—serve as semiotic markers, offering clues to each bishop's role and the values they represent. The meticulous engraving technique, with its precise lines and shading, evokes a sense of historical weight and the gravitas associated with religious authority. The text at the bottom, inscribed with the phrase ‘Flectimur sed non frangimur’ (We bend but do not break), acts as a cultural and philosophical declaration of resilience. It invites the viewer to consider the artwork not just as a collection of portraits but as an expression of resistance and endurance.