Portret van Johannes Piscator 1650s - 1660s

This engraving of Johannes Piscator was created by Paul de Zetter around 1625. The composition immediately presents a study in contrasts. A circular frame tightly encloses the stern face of Piscator, rendered with precise, detailed lines that capture his aged features and convey a sense of gravity. The lines articulate not only the physical details but also contribute to a semiotic reading of the subject. Piscator's gaze, directed slightly off-center, suggests intellectual engagement. The book he holds, combined with the Latin inscriptions framing him, positions him within a scholarly and theological context. De Zetter’s strategic use of line and form creates a structured field of meaning, inviting us to consider how visual elements can construct and communicate complex ideas about identity and intellect. The artwork serves not merely as a portrait, but as a carefully constructed representation embedded within a broader cultural and intellectual framework.