Heilige Helena 1610 - 1672

This engraving of Saint Helena was created by Michael Snijders, sometime in the 17th century. Snijders was working in the Dutch Golden Age, a period of great economic and cultural flourishing for the Netherlands, but also a time defined by religious conflict and the rise of mercantile capitalism. Here, Helena is shown as a beacon of regal femininity and religious conviction. As the mother of Constantine the Great, the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity, she is credited with discovering the True Cross. Note how the cross becomes a symbol of both imperial power and spiritual redemption. The laborers in the background are put to work to excavate the sacred relic. The image also subtly reinforces the traditional role of women as keepers of faith. The engraving invites us to reflect on the intertwined nature of religion, power, and gender in shaping historical narratives, and how these elements continue to resonate in our contemporary moment.