Portret van Ezekiel Hopkins 1670 - 1725

Michiel van der Gucht created this print of Ezekiel Hopkins, the Bishop of Derry, sometime between 1660 and 1725. This portrait offers a glimpse into the intersection of religious authority and social identity during a tumultuous period in British history. Hopkins, an Anglican bishop in Ireland, lived during a time of intense religious and political conflict between Protestants and Catholics. His position within the Church of Ireland placed him squarely within the ruling Protestant elite, a class that wielded significant power and influence over the largely Catholic population. This print then, serves as a declaration of power. Consider the Bishop's attire, those elaborate robes and that distinctive headwear; these are visual symbols of his status and authority within the church hierarchy. Van der Gucht’s engraving suggests how the church was intimately entwined with the structures of power and governance of the time.