Portret van Johann Lindstätt 1648 - 1663

This is Johann Pfann's portrait of Johann Lindstätt, made with etching. The most striking symbol here is, of course, the book held reverently in Lindstätt's hands, a clear emblem of knowledge and spiritual devotion. Consider the recurrence of this motif throughout history; from ancient Egyptian scrolls to medieval illuminated manuscripts, the book signifies wisdom. Yet, its meaning evolves. Here, in the context of the Reformation, the book—likely the Bible—represents a direct connection to divine truth, unmediated by ecclesiastical authority. The gesture of holding, both protective and presentational, echoes across centuries in depictions of saints and scholars. This is not merely about literacy; it is about the profound psychological weight of inherited knowledge, a collective memory shaping individual identity. The book, therefore, becomes a potent symbol, a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. And so, the book, a symbol constantly resurfacing in art through a non-linear, cyclical progression, evolves and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.