Franse katholieken door de Portugezen vermoord te Annobón, 1601 1603 - 1646

This 1601 engraving by Floris Balthasarsz van Berckenrode depicts the killing of French Catholics by the Portuguese on the island of Annobón. It offers a window into the religious and political tensions of the early modern period. The image creates meaning through a symbolic visual code. The island setting, with its active volcano, suggests a remote, dangerous place where the rules of European society do not necessarily apply. Produced in the Netherlands, the print reflects the Dutch Republic's ongoing conflict with both Spain and Portugal. The violence depicted served as propaganda, justifying Dutch encroachment on Portuguese territory. Such depictions can be understood in light of the religious conflicts that wracked Europe in the wake of the Reformation. The event is seen through the lens of Dutch interests. Understanding such images requires researching the complex political history of the period, examining archival sources, and considering the roles of art in shaping public opinion. The meaning of art always hinges on the specific context in which it was made and consumed.