Portret van Petrus Plancius 1791

Reinier Vinkeles created this portrait of Petrus Plancius using etching and engraving techniques. Plancius, a Flemish-Dutch astronomer, cartographer, and clergyman, lived from 1552 to 1622, a time of great religious and scientific upheaval. Consider how Plancius's identity was shaped by these tumultuous times. A clergyman in the Dutch Reformed Church, he lived in an era marked by the rise of Protestantism and the ensuing religious conflicts. But he was also a cartographer deeply invested in the scientific discoveries of his time. He played a crucial role in mapping the stars and seas, contributing to the era's global explorations. Vinkeles's portrait captures a sense of Plancius's authority and intellect. Look at the detailed rendering of his face, framed by a ruff collar and cap, signs of his status. But what does it mean to represent a man who straddled the worlds of faith and science? This image leaves us to ponder the complexities of identity during an era of profound change.