De Heilige Drie-eenheid in de hemel: roem 1585 - 1588

Johann Sadeler I created this engraving, The Holy Trinity in Heaven: Glory, sometime between 1560 and 1600. Sadeler was a prominent member of a family of Flemish engravers, active during a time of religious and political upheaval in Europe. The print shows God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, as a dove, surrounded by adoring angels. The figures embody the established idealizations of religious figures. God the Father is depicted as an old, wise man, while Jesus Christ is represented with youthful, idealized features. This depiction reinforces a patriarchal structure, central to religious doctrine. The racial and cultural homogeneity, although typical, represents a deliberate choice to portray divinity through a specific cultural lens. By presenting religious figures in this way, the artwork reinforces certain societal norms, while excluding other representations. Reflect on how the historical context and artistic choices of this piece shape our understanding of religious and cultural identity.