Willemynken valt van muur tijdens pelgrimage 1590 - 1638

Boëtius Adamsz. Bolswert created this print titled 'Willemynken falls from the wall during a pilgrimage' in the Netherlands. The image shows a group of people on a pilgrimage, and one woman falling from a high wall. Prints like this were popular in the 17th Century, a time of great religious change in Europe, as the Reformation challenged the Catholic Church’s dominance. Pilgrimages were common expressions of faith but were regarded with suspicion in the Protestant Netherlands. Bolswert’s image satirizes the idea of pilgrimage as a genuine act of devotion, portraying it as a dangerous and somewhat ridiculous activity. Willemynken's fall can be seen as symbolic of the pitfalls of religious extremism. To truly understand this print, a social historian might consider the context of the Dutch religious landscape, looking into archival sources, such as pamphlets and sermons, to better understand the debates around faith and practice during this period.