Monnik met duivels Possibly 1670 - 1724

Jacob Gole created this print, "Monk with Devils," in the late 17th or early 18th century using the mezzotint technique. The print portrays a monk wielding a cross against chained demons engulfed in flames. Prints like these were often produced during the Counter-Reformation, a period when the Catholic Church sought to reaffirm its spiritual authority amidst the rise of Protestantism. But, instead of an image of piety, Gole presents a rather unflattering portrait. The monk’s arrogance is palpable in the inscription which reads, "Hell and the demons depend on my laws." This depiction challenges the traditional representation of religious figures as purely virtuous. During this time, stereotypes about religious figures were common, and this print could reflect societal skepticism towards the clergy. It's a potent statement on power, faith, and the moral ambiguities of those in positions of religious authority. The emotional tension between the sacred symbol and the demonic presence invites us to reflect on the internal conflicts between faith and worldly desires.