Portret van Hieronymus de Bock 1735 - 1767

Jacob Folkema created this portrait of Hieronymus de Bock using engraving, a printmaking technique, sometime between 1692 and 1767. During the 18th century, the Dutch Republic was undergoing significant social and political shifts, moving from its Golden Age into a period marked by economic decline and internal strife. De Bock, Bishop of Haarlem, is portrayed amidst symbols of his power and faith: religious books, a crucifix, his Bishop’s hat. Yet, these symbols exist within a society grappling with religious tolerance and the role of the Church. The portrait also raises questions about representation and identity. How does Folkema navigate the visual rhetoric of power while capturing the individual humanity of de Bock? The Bishop seems to gaze at the viewer, inviting introspection on the part of both artist and subject. This portrait encourages us to reflect on the personal and institutional roles that shape identity and experience.