Portret van Majorinus Numida 1701

This etching, portraying Majorinus Numida, was created by Romeyn de Hooghe, a Dutch artist, most likely around the turn of the 18th century. De Hooghe made many prints that are strongly tied to the politics of his time. In this image, he’s likely commenting on the social structures of his own time. Majorinus Numida was a Donatist bishop who was known for his opposition to the Roman Catholic Church in North Africa. De Hooghe's choice of subject matter reflects a Protestant, anti-Catholic sentiment prevalent in the Dutch Republic at the time. The print is full of visual codes. Note the figure's dress, which appears to be exoticized to make him look like he's from the East, and in the background, we see a city in flames. Historical research into the artist's other works and the political climate of the Dutch Republic at this time will certainly help one understand the image better.