Gezicht op de ruïne van de kerk van Eik en Duinen, 1620 1727 - 1733

This etching, *View of the Ruins of the Church of Eik and Duinen*, was created in 1620 by Abraham Rademaker. It captures the ruins of a church near The Hague. But what does it tell us about Dutch society at that time? During the 17th century, the Netherlands was undergoing significant religious and political upheaval, with the rise of Protestantism and the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule. As we look closer, we see that the ruined church symbolizes the religious conflicts of the era. Its crumbling state reflects the challenges to traditional Catholic authority. As an artist, Rademaker was influenced by the cultural context of the Dutch Golden Age, which was a period of artistic innovation and exploration. This etching allows us to reflect on the political and religious tensions of the time. By studying historical sources and religious archives, we can gain deeper insight into the role of art in reflecting and shaping social change.