Dirck Coornhert
Dirck Coornhert | |
|---|---|
 Portrait by Cornelis van Haarlem | |
| Born | Dirck Volckertszoon Coornhert 1522 |
| Died | 29 October 1590 (aged 68) |
| Other names | Theodore Cornhert |
| Known for | Writing, philosophy, theology, engraving |
| Movement | Humanism |
Dirck Volckertszoon Coornhert (1522 – 29 October 1590),Dutch Renaissance scholarship.
Biography
Coornhert was the youngest son of Volckert Coornhert, an
After learning
struggle against Spanish rule, he drew up the manifesto of William the Silent, Prince of Orange (1566).[1]
Imprisoned at
Cleves, where he maintained himself by his art. Recalled in 1572, he was for a short time secretary of state in the Dutch Republic; his aversion to military violence led him to return to Cleves, where William continued to employ his services and his pen.[1]
Possibly inspired by his time in jail, he wrote a book "Boeventucht" on the causes of crime with ideas for more humane methods of punishment and correction.
Theology
Coornhert was also famous as a theologian. At 30 years of age, having become interested in theology, and being desirous of consulting
Reformers, with both of whom he refused to take Communion. Reformers, he said, were sadly wanted, but those who called themselves such were not the kind that the church required; what was needed was apostles directly inspired from heaven. Until such were sent, he advised all churches to join together in an undogmatic communion. Coornhert wrote and strove in favor of tolerance, opposing capital punishment for heretics. He had no party views; he criticized the Heidelberg Catechism, which was authoritative in the Dutch Republic. Jacobus Arminius, employed to refute him, was won over by his arguments.[1]
Pupils
According to the Netherlands Institute for Art History (RKD), his pupils were Hendrick Goltzius, Philip Galle, and Cornelis Cort.[4]
Works
In addition to the 1566 manifesto, Coornhert wrote a treatise against the
Philip van Marnix
. In 1586 he produced his original masterpiece, the Zedekunst ("Art of Ethics"). He published in 1587 „Boeventucht“, an essay about punishment of the ruffians.
By the time he died in 1590, his Dutch translation of the New Testament (following the Latin version of Erasmus) was left unfinished. His collected works, in prose and verse, were published in 1630 in 3 volumes.[1]
Dutch literature, and even of their arts."[5]
Quotes
- "Each wants to dictate another's creed ... This is done by those who formerly taught that such things do not become the Christian"
- "Rest Elsewhere" (his motto).
- "...a voluntary crowbar to the murderous prison of conscience" (on himself).[6]
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dirck Volckertsz. Coornhert.
Citations
Bibliography
- , 'Encyclopædia Britannica, 9th ed., Vol. VI, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1878, p. 531.
- This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Gordon, Alexander (1911). "Coornhert, Dirck Volckertszoon". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 7 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 92.
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