Portret van Jan de Glen c. 1884

Adolphe Varin created this portrait of Jan de Glen using wood engraving techniques. The image, though small, serves as a window into the religious identity and social structures of its time. Varin, working in the 19th century, revives the image of Jan de Glen who lived 300 years prior. De Glen's attire and tonsured hair speak volumes about his religious calling. His image would have resonated deeply in a society where religious affiliation dictated much of one's social standing and personal identity. What does it mean to revive a historical figure? What does it mean to look back, as Varin invites us to do, at the religious figures of the past? This portrait immortalizes De Glen, preserving his legacy and perhaps reminding viewers of the values and ideals he represented. In considering this work, think about the emotional weight of religious identity and the ways it has shaped personal and collective histories.