Portret van Johann Marbach 1597 - 1599

Editor: This is a print of Johann Marbach, created between 1597 and 1599 by Robert Boissard. It’s currently housed at the Rijksmuseum. The level of detail is amazing, particularly the lines in the beard. What do you see in this piece, looking at it from a historical viewpoint? Curator: I see more than just a portrait; I see a statement about status, religious authority and the power of representation in the late 16th century. Prints like these circulated widely, shaping public perceptions of important figures. The inscription “Argentina suo Marbacho talia debet. Qualia Luthero debet hic ipse suo.” draws a parallel between Marbach and Luther. It subtly implies that Marbach is of the same caliber of Luther. Where would this be placed at that time? Editor: So this would be in a place of religious importance like a church or a school? Curator: More than likely! Consider how an image like this bolsters the reformer’s authority in a landscape riddled with religious divides and Reformation ideals. The trappings surrounding Marbach -- his garments, his tools, the columns flanking him – and even the cherubic figures decorating the artwork assert both status and reinforce the perception of learned importance. Editor: It’s like a sixteenth-century political poster. Curator: Precisely. It’s an effective tool for constructing and disseminating an image of authority in a tumultuous era. By looking at the image's context we see beyond the surface, and into the society it shaped. Editor: This puts the artwork into a different perspective, I hadn't even considered all the social messaging layered into the image.