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Protestant Reformation. Germany. Satire against the sale of
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Protestant Reformation. Germany. Satire against the sale of
Protestant Reformation. Germany. Facsimile of an engraving of the period (16th century). Satire against the sale of indulgences. Universal History, 1885. Colored
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Media ID 14336578
© Thaliastock / Mary Evans
1885 Facsimile Historia Indulgences Protestant Protestantism Reformation Sale Satire Satiric Satirical Universal
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This vividly colored engraving, hailing from the 19th century, offers a satirical take on the infamous sale of indulgences during the Protestant Reformation in Germany. The image transports us back to the 16th century, a time of profound religious upheaval and controversy. At the heart of the scene, we see a bustling marketplace, where merchants peddle their wares with fervor. Among them, a man, dressed in the garb of a priest, is selling indulgences - certificates that supposedly granted forgiveness of sins and a reduction in time spent in purgatory. The crowd around him is a motley assortment of individuals, their faces etched with a mix of greed, desperation, and skepticism. The satire lies in the exaggerated nature of the scene, as the priest's booth is overflowing with indulgences, stacked high like commodities. The people, in their eagerness to secure their salvation, are seen climbing over each other, their arms outstretched, trying to grab as many indulgences as they can. This engraving serves as a stark reminder of the corruption and excesses that plagued the religious institutions of the time. The Protestant Reformation, led by figures like Martin Luther, sought to challenge these practices and restore the purity of faith. The satirical tone of this work underscores the deep dissatisfaction with the status quo and the yearning for change that characterized the era. This image, a facsimile of an original engraving, invites us to reflect on the complexities of the Protestant Reformation and the role of satire in shaping public opinion during the modern age.
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