Silhouetportret van onbekende predikant 1776 - 1849

Johannes Christiaan Bendorp created this silhouette portrait of an unknown preacher with pen in grey and black ink. The silhouette became popular in the late 18th and early 19th century as a cheap and quick method for creating portraits. Here, the sitter is identifiable only by his profession – the clergy were an important part of Dutch society. The stern profile could suggest he was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church. During this period, the Dutch Reformed Church was the dominant religious institution with close ties to the state and political power. As such, it was often associated with conservatism and the status quo. The historical context of religious and political life in the Netherlands is therefore crucial to understanding the symbolism and meaning of this portrait. By studying vestments, religious texts, and other historical documents, we can learn more about the role of religion in Dutch society at the time and the significance of this portrait.