Portret van John Hales 1705 - 1769

Christian Fritzsch created this print of John Hales, likely in the first half of the 18th century. The print portrays Hales, an English cleric and intellectual, within an oval frame, set above a Latin inscription. It's a powerful demonstration of the era's institutional and social values, of its class structure and its intellectual heroes. Made in the Netherlands, this print participates in a visual culture that looked to England for models of religious thought. Hales was a key figure in the Church of England, known for his liberal theological views during a time of intense religious and political conflict. The choice of Latin for the inscription also speaks to the enduring influence of classical education and the way it transcended national boundaries. The print served as a promotional object for the Dutch book market. By studying historical documents and institutional records, we can start to understand how images like this were used to shape public opinion, reinforce social hierarchies, and promote particular intellectual agendas.