Portret van Hermannus Tegularius 1615 - 1676

This engraving of Hermannus Tegularius was created in 1641 by Frederik Bouttats, during a time when the Dutch Republic was a burgeoning center for trade and religious thought. Tegularius, pastor of the Delft church, is presented with the gravitas befitting his station. Yet, it’s impossible to ignore the rigid collar, a visual manifestation of the period’s strict social and religious norms. The inscription beneath the portrait speaks to his age, 36, rooting him in a specific moment in time, forever young within the confines of this print. Consider how Bouttats, through his skilled engraving, not only immortalizes Tegularius, but also provides us with a glimpse into the identity and societal structures of the 17th century Dutch Republic. It is both a personal memento and a historical document.