Monnik van de orde der Johannieters after 1526

This small, anonymous engraving on show at the Rijksmuseum depicts a brother of the Knights Hospitaller, also known as the Order of Saint John. The Order was a Catholic military order with origins in Jerusalem in the 11th Century. The cross on his chest is an emblem of the Order and a signifier of his allegiances. As well as their religious duties the Knights were essentially a military force that took a prominent role in the Crusades and the control of the Mediterranean. This print may be part of a series, perhaps even a recruitment drive. The print’s image creates meaning through the use of recognizable visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. To understand it better we can consider the religious, military, economic, and cultural context in which it was made. Understanding this engraving means understanding the Order itself. We must reflect on how the meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.