Tabernacoli da ornare e abellire di Altari c. 1650 - 1678

Franz Ertinger created this engraving, titled ‘Tabernacoli da ornare e abellire di Altari’, in Antwerp, though the exact date remains unknown. It functions as a design template for ornate, Catholic altars, demonstrating how religion was embedded in the daily lives of seventeenth-century Europeans. Beyond its religious function, the print reveals the gendered nature of the period. Flanking the central image are female figures acting as supporting columns, an architectural feature known as a caryatid. The women, draped in classical garb, bear the weight of the altar above. This is a clear example of the symbolic burden placed on women, both literally and figuratively, within the religious and social structures of the time. Consider also, the cherubic figures at the base, and the angels at the top, drawing back curtains to reveal the altar. They create a theatrical space, a stage for the performance of faith, and an emotionally charged invitation to worship. The elaborate design underscores the aspirational nature of religious devotion, reflecting a desire for both personal and communal connection to the divine.