Portret van Johannes Buxtorf de oude 1650

This engraving depicts Johannes Buxtorf the Elder, and was made by W.C. Heim. The image presents him as a scholar and professor, referencing his expertise in the Hebrew language. Created in the Dutch Republic, it reflects the cultural and intellectual climate of the time, with its focus on religious scholarship. Note how the inscription frames him within a tradition of Hebraic studies, suggesting the importance of understanding Hebrew texts. The star above his head is a conventional symbol of knowledge. The print’s creation and distribution were supported by the institutions of the printing press and the academic world. It shows the status of scholars like Buxtorf within the social hierarchy. To fully understand the image, we might look at records of the University in which Buxtorf taught, and archives of the printing houses involved in producing texts like this. By understanding its context we can see how the image reflects and reinforces certain cultural values.