Tekstblad bij de prent van de vervolging der protestanten in Frankrijk na de herroeping van het Edict van Nantes, 1685-1686 1686

This is Romeyn de Hooghe’s, “Tekstblad bij de prent van de vervolging der protestanten in Frankrijk na de herroeping van het Edict van Nantes, 1685-1686.” It was made sometime between 1685 and 1686. This print comes out of a moment of intense religious and political conflict in Europe. The revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV in 1685 had a profound impact on the Protestant population in France. It led to widespread persecution, forced conversions, and exile. De Hooghe, as a Dutch artist, was deeply influenced by the plight of the Huguenots. He used his art as a form of political commentary and resistance. The text details the suffering and resilience of a community facing religious intolerance and forced migration, highlighting the intersectional aspects of religion, politics, and identity during this period. The emotional weight of the print resides in its depiction of the human cost of religious persecution. De Hooghe's print creates an alternative narrative that challenges the official line. It acknowledges the voices and experiences of those who suffered. Ultimately, the artwork acts as a historical record and a powerful statement about the importance of religious freedom. It reflects the complex interplay between personal faith and broader societal issues.