Personificatie van de kerk die de heidenen verjaagt 1672

Pierre Landry created this print, "Personification of the Church repelling the Heathens," sometime in the late 17th century, using engraving. The print reflects the religious and political tensions of the era, when the Catholic Church sought to reaffirm its authority. Here, the Church is allegorically represented as a powerful female figure, shielding herself and warding off "heathens" with a light emanating from above. This symbolic defense, resonates with the historical context of religious conflict and the Church's efforts to maintain its dominance through conversion. The engraving depicts not just a religious narrative, but also a power dynamic, where the "heathens" are cast in a negative light, reinforcing a sense of cultural and religious superiority. It invites us to consider the emotional and personal dimensions of faith, and how the Church aimed to shape individual beliefs. The figures of the heathens are contorted, seemingly in pain, from the light emanating from the shield. Landry’s print encourages us to reflect on how the narratives of identity are constructed and reinforced, and consider the personal and societal implications of these representations.