Portretten van Johannes Cocceius en Gisbertus Voetius 1829 - 1879

This print of Johannes Cocceius and Gisbertus Voetius was made by Jan Frederik Christiaan Reckleben, in the Netherlands, in the 19th century. It reflects the cultural significance of these theologians from a much earlier era. Both men were influential professors of theology during the 17th century, a time when the Dutch Republic was a center of Calvinist thought. They represent opposing sides in theological debates about interpreting the Bible. Cocceius, on the left, advocated for a more allegorical and contextual reading, while Voetius, on the right, favored a literal approach. The print itself speaks to the institutional history of Dutch Protestantism. By immortalizing these figures, it reinforces the importance of theological discourse within the Dutch Reformed Church. To fully understand this print, one might delve into the history of Dutch theology, exploring the social and political context of these debates and their lasting impact on Dutch society.