Emmaüsgangers 1611 - 1623

Pieter Feddes van Harlingen created this print of the Emmaüsgangers, using etching techniques. The image captures a biblical scene, but it also reflects the cultural and social context of the Dutch Golden Age. Consider the setting: a detailed landscape, reminiscent of the Dutch countryside. The architecture, clothing, and even the rendering of light and shadow are rooted in the artistic conventions of 17th-century Netherlands. This was a time of religious upheaval and the rise of Protestantism. Biblical scenes were common subjects in art, but they were often reinterpreted through a local lens. This image would have been displayed within a domestic setting, as opposed to the church. The questions that preoccupy historians like myself are: What did this mean for the role of art and religion in Dutch society? And how might theological debates influenced artistic choices? Resources in archives and libraries, such as period pamphlets and religious texts, can provide a deeper understanding of this artwork.