Portret van L. Schouten Wzn. 1855

This lithograph portrait of L. Schouten Wzn. was created by Leonard de Koningh, an artist working in the Netherlands in the 19th century. During this period, the Dutch Reformed Church played a central role in shaping social and moral values. The portrait depicts Schouten, a man of the church, seated with an open book, perhaps a religious text. His gaze is direct but not confrontational, inviting a quiet contemplation. The stark, somewhat austere presentation, emphasizes the sitter's role and commitment to the church. What does it mean to dedicate yourself to a spiritual calling? How does one balance personal identity with the demands and expectations of religious institutions? This portrait is a record of a life devoted to faith but it also raises questions about the individual and the structures of power that shape identity.