Portret van Adriaan Pars 1688 - 1698

This is Anthony van Zijlvelt's portrait of Adriaan Pars. Made sometime between 1643 and 1715, this engraving captures Pars who, notably, was a member of the Collegiants, a Dutch religious movement advocating for freedom of belief and reason-based interpretation of the Bible. The inscription at the bottom hints at Pars's connection to "KATTEN," likely referring to the village of Katwijk, a center for Collegiant activity. This detail invites us to consider the importance of place and community in shaping religious and intellectual identities during the Dutch Golden Age. The text accompanying the image praises Pars for his wisdom and connection to divine inspiration. Consider how this portrait complicates conventional ideas of religious authority and individual expression in the 17th century. It embodies the tension between tradition and innovation, faith and reason, that defined the Collegiant movement. The emotional weight of this piece lies in its invitation to reflect on the ongoing negotiation between individual conscience and collective identity.