Portret van Jan Beukelsz. van Leiden (Jan van Leyden) before 1701

This is Romeyn de Hooghe’s portrait of Jan Beukelsz van Leiden, made using etching. The image presents us with a man who was a key figure in the Anabaptist movement, which advocated for radical social reforms in the 16th century. Jan van Leiden became the leader of the Münster Rebellion, a theocratic regime in the German city of Münster, during which time he declared himself King. De Hooghe's print is striking for its complex depiction of power. Van Leiden is adorned with the symbols of kingship, but it's important to remember that these symbols also carry the weight of the rebellion’s ultimate failure, and his subsequent execution. The artist seems to ask: what does it mean to claim divine authority, and what are the consequences of such a claim? The image evokes complicated ideas around faith, power, and the consequences of religious extremism. It serves as a reminder of the human capacity for both radical change and destructive zeal.