Priester met twee misdienaars voor een altaar 1661

This is Sébastien Leclerc’s etching, "Priest with two altar boys before an altar," dating back to the late 17th century. Leclerc was working during a time when religious and political landscapes were deeply intertwined, especially in France. Through the figures of the priest and altar boys, Leclerc engages with themes of religious authority, innocence, and hierarchy. The small figures, dwarfed by the altar and priest, evoke a sense of both reverence and vulnerability. The image is a study of the way religious institutions shape individual experience and perception. Leclerc highlights the structures of power inherent in religious practice. The delicate lines of the etching invite us to reflect on the intricate ways faith intersects with identity, power, and the human condition. Leclerc prompts a consideration of how religious rituals shape our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.