Predikant Stollbein bij de familie Stilling 1777

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki made this etching, "Predikant Stollbein bij de familie Stilling," in the late eighteenth century. It captures a moment of domestic religious instruction. The print offers us a window into the social fabric of the period in Germany. We see the pastor, Stollbein, seated comfortably, suggesting a position of respect and authority. The setting, a modest home filled with everyday objects, hints at the values of simplicity and piety. The presence of the family, including a young boy reading, underscores the importance of religious education within the household. The image is likely a comment on the social structure of the time, in which religious leaders were highly esteemed members of the community. As historians, we can turn to period sources, like religious tracts or domestic manuals, to better understand how faith was practiced and taught within the family. By looking at the conditions that shape artistic production we can gain a deeper appreciation of the cultural norms of the time.