Portret van Georg of Trebizond 1549 - 1577

This is an engraving called 'Portret van Georg of Trebizond', and it was made by an anonymous artist. Given the cultural context, it's easy to overlook the complexity of identity at play here. Georg of Trebizond was a philosopher and a scholar, and his identity was shaped by the intersection of Greek and Christian cultures. The visual language of the artwork situates him within a tradition of learned men, but it also reminds us of the historical and political circumstances that shaped his life. Georg was from Trebizond, a Greek city located in present-day Turkey. He actively worked to translate Greek philosophical and scientific works into Latin, a task deeply influenced by his cultural heritage. Consider what it might have meant for him to navigate these different worlds, translating not just words, but also ideas and cultural values. The engraving is a starting point for reflecting on the movement and merging of cultures and knowledge.