John Balfour de Burley - Les Puritains n.d.

Charles Jacque created this print, "John Balfour de Burley - Les Puritains," which is currently at the Art Institute of Chicago. Jacque was one of the artists who, in the mid-19th century, turned to printmaking, and this artwork gives us insight into his focus on social issues and historical narratives. Here, we see a figure embodying the ideals and struggles associated with the Puritans, set against a stark landscape. Notice how Jacque uses the image to convey the tension between religious devotion and the realities of persecution. The choice to depict a man of faith in such a desolate setting reflects the period's debates around religious freedom, identity, and the social order. Jacque challenges conventional representations of religious figures. Consider how this artwork shapes our understanding of historical events, while prompting a deeper engagement with questions of belief, resistance, and identity.