Heidense priesters offeren op een altaar c. 1705 - 1754

Jacob de Wit’s drawing depicts a scene of "Heidense priesters offeren op een altaar", made with pen and brown ink and grey wash on paper in the 18th century. De Wit, working in the Dutch Republic, presents a glimpse into how pre-Christian religious practices were imagined at a time when Europe was solidifying its Christian identity, often at the expense of other belief systems. Note the detailed rendering of the priests and the altar, contrasted with the sketch-like quality of the cherubic figures above, possibly symbolizing the Christian God looking down. Consider the implications of depicting “heathen” priests. What did it mean to represent these figures in a moment of offering, of devotion? Does it evoke curiosity, judgment, or something else? The image invites us to reflect on the narratives we construct around different cultures and religions, both historically and in our contemporary moment. How do these images shape our understanding and interactions with those different from ourselves?