De oprichting van de koperen slang (linker helft) 1646 - 1700

Antoine Masson made this print, "The elevation of the bronze serpent, left side", using burin and etching in France during the late 17th century. It depicts a story from the Book of Numbers, where Moses erects a bronze serpent on a pole to heal the Israelites from snakebites. The image is filled with drama and emotion, reflecting the religious fervor of the period. Masson's work reflects the cultural climate of 17th-century France. Religion played a central role in public and private life, influencing art, politics, and social norms. The Catholic Church was a major patron of the arts, commissioning works that reinforced religious teachings and promoted piety. To understand Masson's world, we can explore not only religious texts, but also period sermons, theological debates, and histories of the French court. These resources offer a window into the social and institutional forces that shaped the art of his time. Only through understanding such historical context can we appreciate how the meaning of an image is contingent on the world from which it emerges.