Doopsgezinden uit Kampen 1823 - 1829

Pieter van der Meulen made this print, "Doopsgezinden uit Kampen", with etching and engraving. It shows a man and woman who are Mennonites, a religious group known for their pacifism and simple living. The image creates meaning through visual codes. The clothing, particularly the woman's bonnet and the man's hat, marks them as belonging to a specific social and religious group in Kampen, Netherlands. The print was made in the early 19th century. It reflects the era’s interest in cataloging and classifying different social types. The image also points to the history of religious tolerance in the Netherlands. Despite facing persecution elsewhere, groups like the Mennonites found relative freedom to practice their faith. Works like these contributed to a sense of national identity rooted in diversity and tolerance, but also remind us of the power dynamics inherent in representing minority groups. To understand this print fully, scholars might research the history of Mennonites in the Netherlands. Also, prints like this are valuable sources for understanding how people saw and understood social difference at the time.