Portret van de predikant Wilhelmus Schortinghuis 1760

A. Durleu created this portrait of Wilhelmus Schortinghuis as an engraving. As a historian, I'm interested in how this image reflects the social and religious values of the Dutch Republic in the 18th century. Schortinghuis was a prominent preacher, and this portrait presents him as a figure of authority and piety. His clothing and wig mark him as a member of the upper class. The book he holds signifies his learning and devotion to religious texts. The text at the bottom celebrates the enduring impact of his teachings. But portraits like these weren't just neutral likenesses. They played a role in constructing and reinforcing social hierarchies. By studying the printmaking industry and the networks through which these images circulated, we can gain insight into the cultural and institutional forces that shaped the Dutch Golden Age.