La Noblesse Française à l’église (De Franse adel in de kerk) c. 1628 - 1629

This is Abraham Bosse’s etching “La Noblesse Française à l’église,” or “The French Nobility in Church,” made in the 17th century. Bosse lived during a time of immense political and religious upheaval in France, and much of his work offers insight into the social customs of the era. This piece depicts a stylishly dressed nobleman in a church, an environment usually associated with piety, yet the figure exudes vanity. Note the details in his fashion, the swagger in his step, and the slight, self-satisfied smile. Bosse seems to suggest that even in sacred spaces, class distinctions and personal affectations persist. The presence of other figures in the background further emphasizes the social aspect of attending church for the nobility. Bosse’s work invites us to consider how social identity shapes our behavior and how spaces, even those meant for reflection, can become stages for the performance of self. How does this contrast with your own experience of sacred spaces?