Stephanus Paschinus 1617

Léonard Gaultier created this portrait of Stephanus Paschinus as an engraving. Gaultier lived through a time of religious conflict and reformation, and these tensions are palpable in his work. Here, Paschinus, who at the time of this portrait was an 87-year-old patron, is depicted with a somber, knowing expression, framed by an ornate oval with inscriptions that speak to his status and virtue. The visual language of portraiture at this time was deeply entwined with notions of power, piety, and social standing. Engravings like this one served not only as likenesses, but as statements of identity and aspiration. Consider the role of men in positions of power during this period. How did they use images to craft and control their public persona? How does Gaultier balance the personal with the political in this image? Reflect on the ways this portrait constructs and reinforces Paschinus's identity within the social and political landscape of his time.