Portret van Peter Meiderlin 1635

Lucas Kilian created this print, "Portret van Peter Meiderlin," where the subject is encased within a circle. This shape is echoed in the ruffled collar Meiderlin wears, drawing our eye to his face. The formal arrangement directs our focus through a series of enclosed forms, each adding a layer to the portrait's meaning. Kilian uses the circle to frame Meiderlin's likeness, suggesting a sense of completion. The use of Latin phrases surrounding the portrait further adds to this idea. Below, we see geometric forms that are visual representations of theological principles, reflecting the intellectual climate of the time. These elements—text, image, and geometry—come together to form a complete picture. Kilian's masterful arrangement suggests a carefully considered discourse on knowledge and representation. This engraving is not just a portrait but an intellectual statement, inviting us to reflect on the deeper structures of meaning.