Heilige Mauritius 1733 - 1797

Pierre François Basan created this print of Heilige Mauritius in the 18th century, a time when Europe was deeply engaged in colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade. The image depicts Saint Maurice, a Black African leader of a Roman legion, who according to legend, was martyred for refusing to persecute Christians. In Basan’s interpretation, Maurice is depicted in shining armor, accompanied by a cherubic angel, his features softened and idealized. The image reflects the complex intersection of race, religion, and power in the 18th century. While Maurice's story speaks to ideals of faith and resistance, the print also shows the period's tendency to sanitize and Europeanize non-European figures. It is important to consider how this image might have been received, both reinforcing and subtly challenging the racial hierarchies of the time, inviting us to reflect on the stories we choose to tell and how we tell them.