De aanbidding van het Christuskind door de heilige Franciscus 1860

J. Kuyper made this print, "The Adoration of the Christ Child by Saint Francis," in 1665. Religious imagery was very popular in the Netherlands during this time. Here, we see the infant Christ with the Virgin Mary above Saint Francis of Assisi who kneels reverently before them. The presence of angels indicates a holy event. Note the soft lines of the engraving, a technique that became widespread thanks to the printing press. It was a technology that allowed for the relatively cheap distribution of images like this one. The Franciscans were known for their commitment to poverty and their devotion to the poor, but by the mid-17th century their reputation was somewhat sullied by internal corruption. Prints such as these helped to reinforce the importance of the Church during times of conflict and change, reminding people of the values it should embody. To understand this artwork better, it can be helpful to research the history of the Franciscan order, and the role of the Catholic church in Dutch society. Understanding its history will give you a new perspective on its social function.