De pauselijke staf, plaat 15 Possibly 1530 - 1699

Nicolaas Hogenberg created this print, "De pauselijke staf, plaat 15," sometime in the 16th century. It depicts a procession of mounted figures, one carrying the papal staff. Hogenberg created this piece during a period of enormous religious upheaval with the Protestant Reformation challenging the Catholic Church's authority. The print is a fascinating look into the ways power was displayed and perceived during this era. The procession itself is a carefully constructed performance of authority, with each figure and element contributing to an overall message of legitimacy. In a time when the Church's power was being questioned, representations like these were crucial in maintaining its image. Hogenberg, through his choice of subject matter, invites us to consider the emotional and psychological weight of religious symbols during the Reformation. The artwork becomes a space where the battle between tradition and change plays out, reflecting the personal and collective anxieties of a society in transition.