Portret van Gijsbert Voet op 68-jarige leeftijd 1657 - 1665

Salomon Savery created this engraving of Gijsbert Voetius at the age of 68 in 1657. Voetius was a significant figure in the Dutch Reformed Church and a professor of theology at the University of Utrecht. This portrait reflects the cultural and religious climate of the 17th-century Netherlands, a period marked by theological debates and the consolidation of Reformed Protestantism. As a leading theologian, Voetius advocated for a strict Calvinist doctrine and was known for his polemical writings against dissenting views. The books in the background, along with his somber attire, point to Voetius’s intellectual and religious authority. The inscription around the portrait identifies Voetius as a professor of theology, emphasizing his role as a defender of orthodox Calvinism in academia. While portraits of religious figures often reinforce established power structures, they also offer insights into individual identity and the values of a particular community. Voetius's stern expression seems to convey a sense of unwavering conviction and commitment to his theological beliefs.