Portret van Jakob Böhme 1668 - 1738

Joseph Mulder created this engraving of Jakob Böhme sometime between 1658 and 1718. Böhme, a German philosopher, mystic, and Christian theologian, lived from 1575 to 1624, a period of immense religious and intellectual upheaval. Consider how Böhme's teachings challenged established religious norms. His ideas, emphasizing direct personal experience of God, clashed with the prevailing orthodoxies, placing him at odds with both the Lutheran church and societal expectations. Böhme wrote, "We are all created in God's image, but it is our responsibility to develop that image within ourselves." Think about these words as an invitation to explore your own spiritual and intellectual identity. Notice how Mulder immortalizes Böhme. The inscription below his portrait connects Böhme’s spirit to the elemental forces of nature – water, air, fire. Böhme's legacy continues to provoke thought about our place in the cosmos. This image serves not just as a record, but as a powerful reminder of the courage required to pursue one’s individual beliefs.