Portrait of Johannes Polyander à Kerckhoven, Professor of Theology in Leiden 1700 - 1732

Arnoud van Halen painted this miniature portrait of Johannes Polyander à Kerckhoven, a Professor of Theology in Leiden, sometime between 1673 and 1732. In the Dutch Golden Age, the university at Leiden was a powerful institution. The portrait gives us insights into the visual codes of the time. Kerckhoven's ruff collar and sombre coat signify his status and profession. Small portraits like this were increasingly popular at the time, and speak to the growing importance of the individual and the rise of a merchant class that supported the arts. As such, they were statements about the sitter’s place within the cultural and economic structures of Dutch society. Looking at this portrait, we can ask what role the University played in shaping Dutch society. The professor's clothing is somber and professional, reflecting the values of the time. By consulting historical records, we can learn more about the specific social and institutional contexts that shaped this work. Art history, at its best, offers insights into the values and norms of past societies.