Heiligverklaring van Thomas van Aquino 1610

Egbert Van Panderen created this engraving, "Canonization of Thomas Aquinas," sometime between 1590 and 1637. It captures the formal declaration of sainthood of the medieval philosopher and theologian. Van Panderen invites us into a world deeply shaped by religious doctrine and hierarchical power. We see a scene dominated by male figures: popes, bishops and clergymen, all central to the canonization process. Consider what is left out. Where are the women, people of color, or lay individuals who lived outside the structures of the church? Their stories and perspectives remain largely invisible in this depiction, yet their lives were also shaped by the Catholic church. The work offers a glimpse into the construction of identity and the role of institutions in shaping cultural values. How does the emotional weight of the declaration of sainthood, as presented here, influence our understanding of the historical period and our own place within it?