Thomas van Aquino treedt toe tot de Dominicanenorde 1610

Egbert Van Panderen created this print, "Thomas van Aquino joins the Dominican Order," in the early 17th century, using engraving. The composition is structured around a central kneeling figure, set against the backdrop of standing figures and architectural details. The artist uses line and shading to create depth and texture. The act of joining the Dominican Order is rendered through formalized gestures and spatial arrangement. Consider the semiotics of this image: the kneeling figure symbolizes humility and submission, while the surrounding figures, presumably members of the order, represent authority and acceptance. This visual encoding is a cultural shorthand to convey the values and power dynamics within religious institutions. Note the contrast between the detailed foreground and the more sparsely rendered background. This functions as a way to focus our attention on the central event, while also suggesting the broader context of religious life. This print is not just an aesthetic object; it is a cultural document that participates in the construction and reinforcement of social norms and religious ideologies.