Pastor Johannes Lassenius 1677 - 1681

Editor: This is an etching and engraving called "Pastor Johannes Lassenius," made between 1677 and 1681 by Hubert Schaten. The subject looks very serious. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This portrait is a product of its time, a representation of power and status, deeply embedded in the religious and political landscape of 17th-century Europe. Think about the role of the Church during this era, the rise of the nation-state, and the visual language used to legitimize authority. How do you see Lassenius fitting into that structure? Editor: Well, the inscription surrounding the portrait emphasizes his titles and roles, reinforcing his authority, almost like a brand statement for his position. Curator: Precisely. And notice how the ornate frame and the symbolic elements create a carefully constructed image. What impact might this have on viewers encountering it in its original context? The print allows it to circulate, therefore, influencing public perception of power. Does the image invite questions of inequality, gender and class? Editor: It does seem very much like controlled messaging for that time, for a specific educated audience perhaps. Curator: Exactly. Consider that not everyone had access to such images, nor could decipher their layered meaning. It is worth pondering about this pastor's intersectionality, and how he navigates gender and religious roles. This era laid groundwork for subsequent struggles over representation. Editor: So, this image is not just a portrait, it’s a historical document that reveals much about power and identity during the Baroque era. I see now how its context is inseparable from its creation and reception. Curator: Precisely. By analyzing the image within its historical context and in contemporary cultural issues, we can see the continuing legacy of representational practices. It gives insights into both the subject's world and the way we continue to grapple with issues of inequality today.