Martelaarschap van Petrus 1576 - 1646

This engraving depicting the Martyrdom of Saint Peter was made by an anonymous artist, and is now held in the Rijksmuseum. The image encapsulates the ideas and concepts around religious martyrdom, deeply embedded in its wider social and cultural context. This print creates meaning through potent visual codes. We see Saint Peter being crucified upside down, a scene loaded with cultural and historical associations. Made in the Netherlands, it reflects the religious and political tensions of the time, particularly between the Catholic Church and emerging Protestant movements. The image comments on the social structures of its time, subtly critiquing the abuses of power and advocating for religious reform. The presence of Saint Peter and the key suggests the importance of the Church. To fully understand this artwork, we need resources like historical texts, religious documents, and scholarly articles to uncover the nuances of its message. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context, and the role of the historian is to bring that context to light.