Portret van Hermann Witte 1687 - 1743

This is Johann Georg Mentzel's portrait of Hermann Witte. While the exact date of its creation is unknown, we can place it within the context of the late 17th to early 18th century, an era defined by rigid social hierarchies. The portrait offers a glimpse into the world of academia and religious authority of the time. Witte, adorned in the garb of his office, is surrounded by the visual trappings of knowledge and power. His confident, yet somewhat severe gaze, positions him as a figure of authority in a society that valued intellectual and religious prowess. Consider the symbolic weight of the book in his hand; it speaks to Witte's identity as a scholar and theologian. Mentzel's engraving invites us to reflect on how people in positions of power wish to be perceived and remembered.