Mozes en de tien geboden 1789

This print of Moses and the Ten Commandments was made by Louis E.F. Garreau. The print presents the Ten Commandments as a foundation of social order. Note the architecture surrounding the text, meant to suggest a temple, a courtroom, or even a government building. This institutional framing invites us to think about the image not just as a statement of religious belief, but also as a statement of law. In the Dutch Republic, where this print was made, the relationship between church and state was hotly contested. While Calvinism was the dominant religion, the Republic was also known for its relative tolerance. Prints like this one offer us insight into the visual culture of the Dutch Republic. Art historians consult a variety of sources to better understand this culture: archival records, pamphlets, and even sermons. By looking at these resources, we can better understand the public role of art and the politics of imagery in the Dutch Republic.