Ongelovige Tomas Possibly 1612 - 1702

Editor: Here we have Cornelis van Dalen the First's engraving, "Ongelovige Tomas," or "Doubting Thomas," made sometime between 1612 and 1702. It has such dramatic lighting. What's your take on this print? Curator: This print invites us to consider the dynamics of belief and skepticism, especially within the context of religious authority. Consider the Baroque period’s emphasis on spectacle and emotional intensity—how does this portrayal of doubt challenge or reinforce societal structures around faith and knowledge? Editor: So, the era influences the art… interesting. I guess I always took the image at face value, as illustrating a bible story. Curator: But what does it mean to depict doubt so vividly, to give space to it? Think about the power structures at play during this period. The church held significant sway, dictating moral and social norms. Could this image, by showing Thomas's questioning, subtly critique that power? Editor: I suppose the story itself becomes a bit subversive when you look at it that way. Curator: Exactly. And who gets to determine what is truth, and who is allowed to question? How do class, gender, and access to education influence one’s ability to express doubt, then and now? How does the image invite viewers to question established norms, or to reaffirm their faith in the face of uncertainty? Editor: That makes you think about what isn't shown, or who is excluded, not just who is there in the image. Food for thought! Curator: Indeed!