Portret van André Rivet 1625

Simon van de Passe made this engraving of André Rivet sometime between 1615 and 1647. It's more than just a portrait, it's a window into the religious and intellectual life of the Dutch Golden Age. Rivet, a prominent theologian and professor, is presented here with an air of scholarly authority. The visual codes, from his formal attire to the Latin inscription, speak to his status within the academic and religious institutions of the time. This was a period of intense religious debate and reformation, and portraits like this played a role in constructing and disseminating particular images of authority and intellectual credibility. Understanding this image requires us to delve into the history of religious institutions, the social role of intellectuals, and the politics of representation in the 17th century. By consulting archival sources, theological texts, and social histories, we can begin to understand how this image functioned within its specific cultural and institutional context.