Portret van Petrus Wittewrongel 1650 - 1691

This is Harmen de Mayer's print of Petrus Wittewrongel, made in 1670. Wittewrongel was a theologian in Amsterdam, and this image reflects the cultural status and authority of religious figures in the Dutch Republic. Prints like this one played an important role in shaping public perceptions, particularly during the Dutch Golden Age. The open book connects Wittewrongel to the tradition of humanist scholarship and the Protestant emphasis on personal interpretation of the Bible. The sober clothing and serious expression convey a sense of moral gravity, appropriate for a religious leader. To fully understand an image like this, it's helpful to delve into the social and intellectual history of the Dutch Republic, considering how religious institutions, educational systems, and publishing industries shaped the production and dissemination of knowledge. By consulting historical sources and scholarly research, we can gain a deeper understanding of the values and beliefs that informed this portrait and its cultural context.