Vijf portretten in medaillon: Prof. Johannes Clarisse, Prof. Herman Muntinghe, Ds. Johan Diederich Deiman, Prof. Jodocus Heringa en Ds. Ewaldus Kist 1864 - 1869

Dirk Jurriaan Sluyter made this print, "Vijf portretten in medaillon", sometime in the 19th century using etching and engraving. The five portraits, framed in ornate, classical medallions, depict prominent Dutch theologians and professors. In 19th-century Netherlands, where religious and intellectual life was intertwined, the professors held significant social and cultural influence. Their portraits, rendered in a formal, academic style, reflect the conservative values of the Dutch Reformed Church during this period. The elaborate framing suggests the subjects’ esteemed positions within Dutch society and the institutional authority they possessed. The visual codes of dress and presentation communicate status, dignity, and erudition. To fully understand this print, we can consult archival records of Dutch universities, church documents, and biographical material about these figures. Understanding the social and institutional context of the Netherlands at that time enables us to interpret how the work either reinforces or challenges the dominant social structures of its day. By considering such factors, we can engage with the deeper social and historical meanings embedded within this image.