Polemical Collection

Guess at my Meaning, 1709 (engraving) (b / w photo) (see also 250750)
XJF250749 Guess at my Meaning, 1709 (engraving) (b/w photo) (see also 250750) by English School; Private Collection; (add.info.: Dr. Henry Sacheverell (1674-1724); ); English, out of copyright

Religions Enemies, 1641 (engraving) (b / w photo)
XJF250711 Religions Enemies, 1641 (engraving) (b/w photo) by English School, (17th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: John Taylor, the Water Poet)

Square-Caps turned into Round Heads, 1642 (engraving) (b / w photo)
XJF250710 Square-Caps turned into Round Heads, 1642 (engraving) (b/w photo) by English School, (17th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Brownists were followers of Robert Browne (1540-1630)

A New Play called Canterburie, 1641 (engraving) (b / w photo)
XJF250709 A New Play called Canterburie, 1641 (engraving) (b/w photo) by English School, (17th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: William Laud)

The Journalist Henri Rochefort (1830-1913), 1881 (oil on canvas)
XKH141428 The Journalist Henri Rochefort (1830-1913), 1881 (oil on canvas) by Manet, Edouard (1832-83); 81.5x66.5 cm; Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg

Reverse of medal commemorating the brilliant comet of November 1618. The message says that God sent us the starry comet as a warning to us to lead better lives

Obverse of medal commemorating the brilliant comet of November 1618. This comet prompted many pamphlets, including Galileo Galileis (1564-1642) polemical masterpiece Il Saggiatore (The Assayer)

Celsus, Roman philosopher
Celsus, 2nd century Roman philosopher, known mainly through his literary work The True Word, which was a polemic attack on Christianity

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"Polemical: Unveiling the Power of Controversial Art and Ideas" Step into a world where art becomes a weapon, ideas ignite fierce debates, and boundaries are pushed to their limits. The engravings of "Guess at my Meaning" (1709) and "Religions Enemies" (1641) transport us back in time, revealing the polemical nature of artistic expression. In "Square-Caps turned into Round Heads" (1642), we witness an era defined by religious conflict as traditional beliefs clash with emerging ideologies. This engraving captures the tension that engulfed society during this transformative period. "A New Play called Canterburie" (1641) takes us behind the scenes of theatrical satire, where playwrights fearlessly mocked powerful figures amidst political turmoil. These performances became platforms for dissenting voices to challenge authority through humor and wit. "The Journalist Henri Rochefort" (1881) brings us closer to modern times, showcasing how journalism has long been a battleground for controversial opinions. Rochefort's oil portrait reminds us that even in more recent history, individuals have risked everything to expose truth and provoke change. The reverse and obverse sides of a medal commemorating the brilliant comet of November 1618 reveal how celestial events were interpreted through different lenses. These medals symbolize not only scientific curiosity but also ideological interpretations that sparked heated discussions among scholars and philosophers. Finally, Celsus, the Roman philosopher known for his critical views on Christianity challenges our understanding of ancient debates surrounding religion. His writings exemplify early polemics as he questioned established beliefs with intellectual fervor. Through these diverse glimpses into history's polemical moments, we are reminded that controversy has always been an integral part of human progress, and is within these clashes of ideas that societies evolve, perspectives shift, and new paths emerge towards enlightenment.