Vier kerkelijke prelaten before 1581

Abraham de Bruyn created this engraving titled, *Vier kerkelijke prelaten*, which translates to "Four Ecclesiastical Prelates" sometime before 1587. What immediately strikes the eye is the rigid composition, dividing the pictorial space into four distinct vertical panels, each housing a prelate. De Bruyn meticulously employs line and form to distinguish each figure by their attire, which denotes their ecclesiastical rank. The linear precision and attention to detail can be seen as De Bruyn’s intent to establish a visual language rooted in religious hierarchy. Each prelate is adorned with garments and accessories that function as signs, communicating distinct roles and privileges within the church structure. However, the repetition of the figures also introduces a level of visual tension, destabilizing traditional notions of religious authority. The artwork prompts us to question the semiotic system through which power and identity are constructed and perceived. It challenges viewers to actively engage with its visual elements, inviting multiple interpretations and perspectives.