Regnier Hansloe, an Anabaptist Minister, and His Wife (Cornelis Claesz Anslo and His Wife Aeltje Gerritsdr Schouten) 1781

Josiah Boydell created this print, "Regnier Hansloe, an Anabaptist Minister, and His Wife," around the turn of the 19th century. It represents a prominent Dutch couple from the 17th century. Boydell was part of a London-based printmaking firm that played a key role in shaping British taste and the art market. These prints allowed for a wider audience to engage with artworks. This particular print reflects the fascination with Dutch Golden Age painting, known for its detailed interiors and portraiture of the merchant class. The image also speaks to the 18th-century interest in religious tolerance. The Anabaptists were a radical Protestant group, and depicting them in a dignified manner suggests a more open-minded attitude towards religious diversity. By studying archives, biographies, and the history of printmaking, we can better understand the social and cultural values that shaped both the original painting and this later reproduction. The meaning of this art resides in its context.