Portret van een non 1834 - 1845

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this print of a nun in the Netherlands in the mid-19th century. The image presents a figure of female piety and devotion. The visual codes here are clear: the nun's habit signifies her separation from the secular world, her commitment to religious life, and her obedience to the church. During this period, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and political changes, including debates about the role of religion in public life. This image enters into that debate, offering a particular vision of female spirituality at a time when the social role of women was hotly contested. Examining the context in which it was made and displayed is crucial. Was it commissioned by the church or a private collector? What kind of audience was it intended for, and how did that audience interpret its meaning? These are some of the questions that we, as art historians, can explore through archival research and close attention to the visual details of the print.