Portret van Janus Secundus 1787 - 1818

This engraving by Joachim Jan Oortman jr. depicts the Dutch humanist and poet Janus Secundus (1511-1536). Created between 1787 and 1818, the artwork features a bust-length portrait of Secundus, shown in an oval frame with a laurel wreath above. The engraving is a fine example of the Neoclassical style and shows the enduring influence of the Renaissance on 18th-century art. The use of a laurel wreath symbolizes the recipient’s intellectual achievement, a common artistic convention during the Renaissance. It is a fine example of Neoclassical portraiture and is a valuable document for understanding the artistic trends of the late 18th century.