Portret van Hermanus Hillers 1695 - 1731

This is Pieter van Gunst's portrait of Hermanus Hillers, etched sometime around the late 17th or early 18th century. It captures Hillers, a Remonstrant preacher and doctor in Hoorn, encircled by the inscription "Remonstrant preacher and doctor in Hoorn." The Remonstrant movement emerged from the Dutch Golden Age’s religious and political fractures, questioning strict Calvinist doctrines. Hillers was a leader within this challenged yet influential group. Van Gunst’s image is not just a depiction, but a statement of identity and affiliation in a divided society. Note the detail in Hillers’s expression and attire. It suggests a man of intellect and conviction. The text beneath the portrait, in Dutch, speaks of his dedication and the impact of his work, reflecting the emotional weight of religious and intellectual dissent. It acknowledges the turmoil and steadfastness inherent in challenging established norms.