Religious Visual Culture in the Private Space: The Living Room in Late Nineteenth- and Early Twentieth-Century Dutch Protestantism (original) (raw)

In Trajecta 25(2) (2016) 217-237 | The religious visual culture of Dutch Protestantism is often seen as old-fashioned and limited. However, under the influence of the tract societies and similar Bible and missionary associations some innovations in material and visual culture took place in the last decade of the nineteenth century, as is clear from the thousands of tear-off calendars with colourful backing boards and wall plaques with biblical texts. The Protestant material repertoire was limited in design and modes of expression. The religious furnishing of the living room functioned in the context of the religious rhythm of daily life; visual media contributed to Protestant devotional practices. In Dutch Protestantism, ministers’ portraits had a special role. As manifestations of Protestant Schaufrömmigkeit, the portraits were intended to prompt religious memories that would strengthen personal devotion.