Portret van Antonius Schultingh 1809 - 1871

Leendert Springer created this print of Antonius Schultingh using etching and engraving techniques. It shows a well-to-do man, with a baroque wig and formal robe. Schultingh lived in the Dutch Republic during the 17th century. The country was one of the major economic and political players in Europe, and its society was structured around class. Schultingh was a professor of law and a prominent legal scholar. Here he’s pictured in his official capacity, his garments indicating his important social position. Springer’s print immortalizes Schultingh and reinforces his status within Dutch society. It also reflects the power of the Dutch Republic’s educational institutions. Art historical study of prints like this involves archival research, allowing us to understand the complex social and political context in which it was made. The meaning of the print is not simply found in its visual appearance but also in its relationship to the world around it.