Portret van Samuel Koenraad de Bruine 1723 - 1763

This is a print of Samuel Koenraad de Bruine made by Johannes van Vilsteren. Prints like this were of huge importance in 18th-century Holland for disseminating images of prominent people. De Bruine was clearly a man of status, indicated by the classical column, heavy curtain and elaborate wig. But the print also indicates his profession – that of a clergyman. The plain, white collar marks him out as a man of God within the Dutch Reformed Church. Prints were of course produced within a specific social and economic system. Understanding who paid for their production, how they were distributed and who bought them can reveal a great deal about Dutch society at this time. It is in archives and libraries that we can piece together this history and discover the public role of art.