Werkzaamheden van de gedelegeerden 's ochtends op de synode, 1849 1849

Carel Christiaan Antony Last made this print in 1849, depicting the routines of delegates at a synod, a council of church officials, in the Netherlands. Last's composition suggests the social dynamics at play within the Church, and perhaps the artist’s own opinion of them. The men depicted are occupied with various morning activities, from sleeping in to reading the newspaper, perhaps hinting at the perceived laziness or disinterest of some delegates. By depicting the delegates' routines, Last offers a commentary on the Church's engagement with contemporary society, revealing tensions between traditional religious practice and the demands of modernity. To understand this print fully, we need to consider the religious and political context of the Netherlands in the mid-19th century. Historical sources like synod records and period newspapers can offer insights into the debates and issues facing the Church at the time.