Portret van Richard Baxter 1670 - 1725

Michiel van der Gucht's engraving portrays Richard Baxter, a minister, holding a book, likely the Bible or one of his theological works, signifying knowledge and spiritual authority in the 17th century. This act of holding a book is a motif with roots stretching back through antiquity, seen in depictions of philosophers and evangelists alike. Yet, its meaning shifts. Here, the book symbolizes Baxter's personal devotion and his role as a guide, a beacon in a world of spiritual uncertainty. We see echoes of this motif in earlier Renaissance portraits, yet Baxter's Puritan context imbues it with a sense of personal piety and moral rectitude, a contrast to the often ostentatious displays of wealth and power in secular portraiture. The act of holding a sacred text engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, evoking a sense of reverence and contemplation. This symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.