Stellage opgericht te Antwerpen ter gelegenheid van de heiligverklaring van Petrus van Alcantara in 1669 1669

Susanna Verbruggen made this print in 1669, depicting a structure erected in Antwerp for the canonization of Petrus van Alcantara. This elaborate construction, teeming with religious iconography, reflects the intense spiritual fervor of the Counter-Reformation. The image is rich with figures and symbols which create an emotional appeal to the public for religious devotion. Verbruggen, as a woman artist in the 17th century, navigated a male-dominated art world. While the print celebrates a male saint, it also subtly underscores the role of women in religious life and artistic production. The print thus provides a glimpse into the complex dynamics of faith, gender, and artistic expression in a rapidly changing society. This print serves as both a historical document and a testament to the enduring power of art to shape cultural memory.