Portret van Leonhard Hutter 1656 - 1676

This engraving by Johann-Baptist Paravicini depicts Leonhard Hutter, a Doctor of Theology and Professor from Wittenberg. The setting and symbolic objects reflect the subject’s social standing and intellectual contributions. Made in the 17th century, most likely in Germany, the print incorporates many visual and cultural references. Hutter is framed by cherubs, books, and drapery – standard ornamentation to convey wisdom and wealth. The Latin inscriptions emphasize Hutter’s scholarly achievements, framing him as a leading theologian. Such visual propaganda played an important role in the religious and political landscape of the time. The University of Wittenberg was a key intellectual centre of the Reformation, where Hutter would have been deeply involved in shaping Protestant doctrine. Prints like these were often commissioned by institutions to publicly promote the prestige and authority of its key members. To understand this print fully, historians might research the archives of Wittenberg University, looking at the cultural and political environment in which Hutter lived and worked. The meaning of this artwork is deeply tied to its social and institutional context.