Reliekschrijn van de Heilige Rombout, 1825 1825

This lithograph of the Reliquary Shrine of Saint Rumbold was created in 1825 by Jan Vervloet. The print depicts a tomb-like structure, with a relief carving in the center of the martyrdom of Saint Rumbold. Two angels flank either side. On top, a sculpture of the saint rests in repose. Vervloet made this print during a time of great social and political upheaval in Europe. The Dutch Kingdom, which included Belgium, was formed in 1815, and the southern provinces which comprised Belgium, were largely Catholic and French-speaking, and felt marginalized by the Dutch-speaking Protestant north. Within this context, we can read Vervloet’s print as an assertion of Belgian Catholic identity, with Saint Rumbold a symbol of faith. The print not only emphasizes the saint's martyrdom, but invites reflection on faith, cultural identity and the struggle for recognition. This image thus serves as a potent reminder of the ways in which religious and cultural symbols intersect with broader narratives of identity and resistance.