Prediking en wonderbaarlijke genezing door de kapucijn Marcus van Aviano te Antwerpen, 1681 1681

Gaspar Bouttats created this print in 1681 depicting a sermon and miraculous healing by the Capuchin Marcus of Aviano in Antwerp. The composition is dominated by the crowd, stretching across the foreground as a textured mass of tiny figures. The architectural backdrop, with its strong horizontal lines, provides a rigid structure against the human drama unfolding below. The print’s formal organization reflects the period’s concern with order and the representation of social hierarchy. The sharp lines of the fortress contrast with the organic forms of the crowd, illustrating a tension between institutional power and popular faith. This juxtaposition destabilizes any singular reading of the event, inviting us to consider the complex interplay between religious fervor, social order, and the spectacle of public gatherings. Notice how the print functions as a semiotic system, where each figure and architectural element acts as a sign, contributing to a broader narrative about faith, power, and the role of the miraculous in society. The dynamic interplay between line and form not only captures a historical moment but also reflects deeper cultural and philosophical questions about the nature of belief and representation.