Portret van Johan Sems 1621 - 1623

This engraving by Pieter Feddes van Harlingen, dating back to 1621-1623, is a portrait of Johan Sems. It depicts a close-up view of Sems’s face and upper body, set within an elaborate oval frame. The frame features four winged figures representing the four elements, each holding a compass, an astrolabe, a set of scales, and a globe. Below the portrait, the inscription “TOUWE CHOSE PAR RAISON ET MESURE EST A PRISER DE NATURE” and Sems’s coat of arms adorn the bottom. The artwork's delicate lines and intricate details emphasize the subject’s intelligence and scholarly pursuits, highlighting the significance of knowledge and science during this era.