Portret van predikant Cornelis Johannes van Heusden 1822 - 1845

This is a portrait of preacher Cornelis Johannes van Heusden, made by Pieter Barbiers IV, during the first half of the 19th century. In the Netherlands at this time, the social status of preachers was very high, so the depicted clergyman, with his solemn expression and formal attire, embodies the values of that time. The medal he wears on his chest suggests his connection to state power. By carefully studying costume, jewelry, and the cultural context of Dutch society in the first half of the 19th century, we can better understand the social significance of this portrait, and of the social and religious institutions in which it was made. The historian’s work allows us to see art not as a timeless representation of beauty, but as a reflection of the values and power structures of a specific moment in time.