Portret van de predikant Cornelis Elisa van Koetsveld

Dirk Jurriaan Sluyter created this portrait of Reverend Cornelis Elisa van Koetsveld using lithography. Lithography allowed for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction of images, making it a popular medium for portraiture in the 19th century. This image embodies the social and religious conservatism of the Netherlands during that time. Van Koetsveld, a prominent Dutch Reformed Church minister, is depicted with a stern and dignified countenance. His attire, a dark suit and white cravat, reflects the sober and respectable image expected of religious figures. The portrait likely served to reinforce his authority and moral standing within the community. Historical archives, church records, and period publications can provide more information about Van Koetsveld's life, his theological views, and his influence on Dutch society. The meaning we give to this image is contingent on social and institutional contexts that shape our understanding.