Portret van Johannes Cocceius 1652 - 1665

Jonas Suyderhoef created this portrait of Johannes Cocceius using engraving techniques sometime between 1613 and 1686. Cocceius was a professor of theology, a position of significant social and intellectual influence during this period. The portrait captures Cocceius in a manner that reflects the conventions of his time, yet hints at the complexities of identity within the religious and academic spheres. His gaze is direct, suggesting confidence, yet there's also a sense of introspection. The details of his attire, from the simple cap to the buttoned robe, speak to his professional status and religious devotion. Consider how portraits such as this one reinforced existing social hierarchies, while also allowing individuals to craft a specific image of themselves for posterity. What does it mean to represent oneself as a figure of religious and intellectual authority? It highlights the intersections of power, knowledge, and faith in shaping individual and collective identities.