Portret van Isaac Barrow 1643 - 1692

David Loggan created this engraving of Isaac Barrow in 1673, at a time when portraiture was a powerful tool for shaping public perception and solidifying social status. Barrow’s identity as a theologian and mathematician is carefully constructed through symbolic elements and inscriptions; The Latin phrase encircling the portrait translates to ‘Professor of Theology, and no less of the Distinguished Academy’. While conventional in its representation of a prominent male figure, the portrait also offers a glimpse into the intellectual and religious landscape of the era. Loggan's technique captures the textures and details of Barrow's clothing and hair, adding a layer of intimacy to the otherwise formal depiction. We are invited to consider not only Barrow's accomplishments but also his humanity. Through Loggan’s meticulous engraving, we gain insight into the complex interplay of identity, representation, and societal values in 17th-century England.