Vers bij de spotprent met Theodorus Dominicus die op een kruiwagen de kerk in wordt gereden, 1683-1684 1683 - 1684

Curator: Isn't this just delicious? It’s a print from 1683 or 1684 called "Vers bij de spotprent met Theodorus Dominicus die op een kruiwagen de kerk in wordt gereden" or, "Verse to the caricature of Theodorus Dominicus being driven into the church in a wheelbarrow.” Editor: Immediately, I’m struck by the crispness of the text, like it was printed yesterday. There's a beautiful clarity in its graphic design, even though it feels centuries removed. Curator: It's a broadside, meant to be distributed widely and quickly, commenting on a very specific moment in religious politics. Think of it like a meme from the Dutch Golden Age. The print references Theodorus Dominicus, who was a controversial preacher at the time. The “Kruiwagen”, the wheelbarrow in the title, became symbolic of the conflicts within the church. Editor: It’s interesting to see how religious tensions manifest in popular imagery. You almost get a sense that religion in the public sphere became something to joke about. Given the small lettering, it feels meant to be consumed privately, for those in the know. What do we know about its production? Curator: It was printed in Leiden by Teun Tomisse. The inclusion of the printer's name indicates the growth of print culture at this time. You know, the accessibility of this type of print allowed for a rapid dissemination of ideas that certainly shaped public opinions in interesting ways. The text itself, the “verse”, offers commentary on Dominicus’s situation and the divisions in the church. Editor: I love how these seemingly ephemeral, inexpensive prints offer glimpses into the passions and the anxieties of a specific time and place. It shows us that these religious arguments had real-world, material impacts. In the digital age, one wonders what physical documents might outlive this moment, capturing our shared, evolving sensibilities. Curator: Agreed. There is so much in just one little page. A real time capsule of ink and intrigue.