Christ Bids Two Disciples of John the Baptist to Follow Him c. 1576 - 1580

This is Léonard Gaultier’s engraving of ‘Christ Bids Two Disciples of John the Baptist to Follow Him,’ made in France in the late 16th or early 17th century. In it, we see a vision of early Christianity filtered through the lens of early modern Europe. The print testifies to the power of religious institutions, especially during the Counter-Reformation. Note how the artist uses the visual language of the time to convey a spiritual message, blending contemporary dress and setting with biblical narrative. This wasn't just art; it was a tool for shaping beliefs, reinforcing social norms, and responding to the religious conflicts of the era. The choice of printmaking as a medium also made the image widely accessible, furthering the religious institution's reach. To understand this work better, we might look at the history of religious orders in France, the printmaking industry, or the theological debates of the time. This way, we can appreciate how Gaultier's image was not just a work of art, but a product of its time, deeply entwined with the social and institutional forces that shaped it.