Portret van Jacobus Emerix de Matthijs 1700

Arnold van Westerhout made this print of Jacobus Emerix de Matthijs, though the exact date remains unknown. The piece gives us insight into the world of 17th-century ecclesiastical portraiture. Consider the setting in which this portrait was created. The Dutch Republic was experiencing a period of relative religious tolerance, yet social hierarchies remained rigid. Van Westerhout, as an artist, navigated these complexities, creating images that reinforced existing power structures. This portrait commemorates a figure of religious authority with the symbols of his office and status carefully displayed. The traditional format of the portrait and the inclusion of heraldic symbols serve to legitimize his position within the church. Yet, there’s a tension here. While the portrait ostensibly celebrates Matthijs, it also subtly reinforces the exclusivity of religious authority. How might those excluded from such circles – women, the poor, or those of different faiths – have viewed this image? What does it mean to have access to religious power? These are questions that this portrait provokes.