0318 "Oh, what sights to behold in this church turned upside down"

Paulus de Kempenaer's Reckoning with the Roman Catholic Excesses

  • Eva L.E. Janssens (Author)

    Eva Janssens (b. 1991) studied art history and archaeology at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Her master's thesis was awarded the De Bock-Doehaerd prize (2013) and the Prix Thierry Stanley Beherman (2014). Under the guidance of Prof. dr. Tine Meganck she is currently preparing a doctoral thesis on Early Modern religious prints which originated in the Low Countries between 1555 and 1609.

Identifiers (Article)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.11588/riha.2024.1.103891

Abstract

This article focusses on a unique anti-Catholic illustrated broadsheet, De Rhoemse Kercke, from the Netherlands. Inscriptions with the initials of the makers corroborate that it was engraved by Robert Baudous (ca. 1574/75–1659) and published by Jacques de Gheyn II (1565–1629) in 1605. The engraving is accompanied by a poem long presumed lost. Commenting on the numerous pictured Catholic clergymen engaged in various abominable practices, this poem provides a unique glimpse into the thinking of its spin doctor – it is attributed to the theologian and emblematist Paulus de Kempenaer (Brussels, ca. 1554 – The Hague, 1618?). By analysing the iconography in relation to de Kempenaer's poem, this comprehensive study aims to unravel the purpose and intended audience of De Rhoemse Kercke.

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Supplementary Content

  • Fig. 1 (general view)
    Description
    Fig. 1 Robert Baudous after an anonymous designer, De Rhoemse Kercke, 1605, engraving, 415 × 1445 mm. Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, inv. no. BdH 24786 (PK)
  • Fig. 10 (general view)
    Description
    Fig. 10 Robert Baudous after Nic. Anglois, Tafereel oft onderwiisinge der eenvoudige, voorstellende twee verscheyden religien (Tableau or teaching of the simple, depicting two different religions), ca. 1600, engraving, 430 × 1875 mm. Atlas Van Stolk, Rotterdam, inv. no. 60692
  • Appendix 1
    Description
    Appendix 1: Anonymous Latin verses to the broadsheet De Rhoemse Kercke (1605)
  • Appendix 2
    Description
    Paulus de Kempenaer's Dutch poem in 36 stanzas detailing the figures and practices depicted in the broadsheet De Rhoemse Kercke (1605)
Issue
2024: RIHA Journal
Section
Articles
Categories
Early Modern; Drawings & Prints
Language
en
Keywords
De Kempenaer Paulus, Baudous Robert, De Gheyn Jacques (II), illustrated broadsheet, world turned upside down, Commedia dell'arte, nose dance, "Les songes drôlatiques de Pantagruel"

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