Portret van Johannes Buxtorf de oude 1650

This 1650 print by W.C. Heim portrays Johannes Buxtorf the Elder. The engraving depicts a bust-length portrait of the subject, who is dressed in a dark robe and a lace collar. The inscription surrounding the oval frame identifies Buxtorf as a professor of Hebrew and a member of the Basle Academy. The inscription also includes his birth and death dates, emphasizing his importance as a scholar in the field of Hebrew language. This print is an example of portraiture, a popular genre of art used to commemorate and celebrate individuals of importance.