Zittende kwaker, driekwart naar links met omgewend hoofd 1706 - 1750

Cornelis Troost created this drawing of a seated Quaker, in an unknown year, using graphite on paper. It seems this study of a member of the Religious Society of Friends was made in the Netherlands, a country known for its relative religious tolerance. The figure is depicted in a relaxed pose, yet his hat and stern look denote a sense of authority. The nickname ‘Quaker’ was originally used in a derogatory fashion due to the trembling and shaking which sometimes occurred during their religious experiences. They went on to adopt this name themselves. Troost, a celebrated painter of actors and theatrical scenes, may well have been interested in the Quaker’s dress as a kind of role-play or social performance. The artist was part of a cultural milieu that prized wit and satire, so there may be a gently mocking tone to this image. To understand this work better, one could research the history of the Quakers in the Netherlands, and the imagery associated with them. One might also reflect on the way religious groups can be both counter-cultural and institutionalized at the same time.