Portret van een onbekende man achter een katheder c. 1847 - 1863

Johannes Christiaan d' Arnaud Gerkens created this print of an unknown man sometime in the 19th century. Prints like this one played a vital role in shaping public opinion. This man’s attire suggests that he is a preacher, standing here behind a lectern with an open book. What ideas was he trying to spread? And what was the artist trying to convey? In the 19th century, the Netherlands was undergoing a period of religious revival. New ideas were being discussed in public, often disseminated via printed material. To understand this image fully, one must question the social role of art. Further research into the publishing industry and religious movements in the Netherlands at the time would help contextualize this image. By considering these kinds of historical factors, we can better understand how art reflects and shapes society.