Portret van Petrus Boudaan c. 1720 - 1725

This engraving of Petrus Boudaan was made in Amsterdam by Frederik Ottens, sometime in the early 1700s. Boudaan was a preacher in Amsterdam, and the text surrounding his portrait celebrates his powerful sermons that can break even the hardest of hearts. The engraving provides insight into the cultural and religious values of the time. The inclusion of Boudaan’s coat of arms suggests the importance of lineage and social status in Dutch society. Amsterdam, a major center for trade and commerce during the Dutch Golden Age, had a complex social structure, and religion played a significant role in shaping public life. To fully understand this image we can delve into archival records, religious texts, and social histories of the period. What can these details tell us about the social and institutional conditions that shape artistic production?