Portret van Johannes Manardi 1549 - 1577

This small portrait of Johannes Manardi was etched by an anonymous artist. Manardi, an Italian physician and humanist who lived from 1462 to 1536, is depicted in profile, adorned in the garb of his time, holding what appears to be a folded letter or note. The lack of known details about the artist contrasts starkly with the specificity of the portrait’s subject, raising questions about identity, recognition, and historical memory. As we look at Manardi’s face frozen in time, we are confronted with the complex dynamics of representation and the silent voices of those who captured these images, often overshadowed by their subjects. Consider this artwork as a poignant reflection on the act of seeing and being seen. It reminds us that behind every portrait lies a network of social relations and untold stories.