Fotoreproductie van een gravure van Mozes en de bronzen slang door Schelte Adamsz. Bolswert, naar het schilderij door Peter Paul Rubens before 1858

This is a photo reproduction of an engraving made by Jean Louis Bargignac in the 19th Century, after a painting by Peter Paul Reubens. The image portrays the biblical story of Moses and the bronze serpent. In the original painting, Reubens likely aimed to inspire religious devotion and convey moral lessons. In this reproduction, Bargignac participates in the 19th century print market, when reproductive engravings made art accessible to a wider audience. The image is composed of dynamic figures, writhing bodies, and dramatic lighting, typical of the Baroque style. Reubens was a key figure in establishing the Baroque, becoming art's dominant style in Europe at the time, particularly favored by the Catholic Church for its emotional and spiritual intensity. To fully understand this image, we can investigate the religious and artistic institutions that influenced both Reubens and Bargignac. Art history is not just about individual genius, but also about the social and cultural contexts that shape artistic creation.