Portrait of Gesnerus Possibly 1574

This engraving of Gesnerus was made in Antwerp in 1574, by Johannes Sambucus. It was printed as part of a book of portraits of learned men. The book itself is a product of a new print culture, but notice how the portrait echoes older traditions. The sitter is framed in an oval, as if it were a classical cameo. Above, putti and fantastical creatures disport themselves. Below, Latin verses praise Gesnerus's wisdom. How should we understand the politics of this image? In the sixteenth century, printed portraits were part of a humanist project to celebrate the achievements of individuals and to spread knowledge more widely through society. Gesnerus was himself a humanist, a Swiss naturalist and classical scholar. By commissioning this portrait, he and Sambucus were contributing to a movement that challenged traditional hierarchies and promoted a new vision of human potential. To understand the portrait's role in this movement fully, one would need to consult archives, libraries, and collections of early printed books.