Kerkvader Gregorius I before 1571

Pieter Nagel created this engraving of Church Father Gregory I. The image presents us with an imposing figure, laden with the symbols of papal authority. Gregory I sits enthroned within an elaborate architectural setting. The columns, statues, and ornate details construct an image of power and intellect. This type of imagery reinforced the authority of the Catholic Church during a period of religious and political conflict in Europe. Made during a time of the Reformation, this engraving would have served as a visual statement of papal legitimacy. Consider the historical context of the Reformation, a period when the Catholic Church's authority was under intense scrutiny. Artists played a crucial role in either defending or critiquing religious institutions through their work. To fully appreciate the visual history on display, one can research the Counter-Reformation, the role of printed images in religious propaganda, and the biographies of both Gregory I and Pieter Nagel.