Triptiek met satirische scènes op de Protestanten c. 1650

Philip Fruytiers created this engraving on paper, “Triptiek met satirische scènes op de Protestanten,” but the date is unknown. This work epitomizes the religious and political tensions in the Low Countries during the 17th century. Given that Fruytiers was from Antwerp, in the Spanish-controlled Southern Netherlands, it's reasonable to see the work as a piece of Counter-Reformation propaganda. Here, the artist associates Protestants with heresy and immorality, leveraging the charged imagery of fire and brimstone. Notably, the text at the bottom contains quotes of Saint Augustine and Saint Jerome, prominent theologians often cited in defense of the Catholic Church and the Papacy. This appeal to religious authority underscores the ideological battle lines of the time. To fully grasp the work’s significance, scholars would benefit from archival research into the political climate of Antwerp, and understanding how artists like Fruytiers became mouthpieces for institutional powers within society.