De heilige drie-eenheid omringd door engelen 1680 - 1691

This is Justus van den Nijpoort's drawing, likely made in the latter half of the 17th century, depicting "The Holy Trinity Surrounded by Angels". This image appears during the Counter-Reformation, a period when the Catholic Church sought to reaffirm its doctrines and piety through art. The direct emotional appeal and dramatic presentation that you see here were key strategies to engage believers. Van den Nijpoort presents an intimate view of divine suffering. God the Father looms, almost mournfully, behind his son. The Dove of the Holy Spirit hovers at Christ’s breast. Angels bear witness, their faces a mix of sorrow and awe. Consider the image's cultural context: the pervasive influence of religion, the social hierarchy, and the roles of suffering and redemption. The artist’s decision to depict the trinity in such a tangible, almost human way, invites a deeply personal connection with the divine. Does this portrayal offer solace, or does it underscore the weight of sacrifice and the complex relationship between the earthly and the divine?