Portret van Jacobus Latomus 1604 - 1739

Philips Galle made this engraving of Jacobus Latomus, a theologian from Louvain, likely around the late 16th century. This portrait provides insight into the social standing and intellectual culture of the time. The visual codes in the image, such as Latomus’s academic robes and serious demeanor, convey his status and learning. Latomus was a controversial figure who opposed Martin Luther. His intellectual work was closely tied to the Catholic University of Leuven, an important institution in the Netherlands. Galle's decision to create and circulate Latomus's portrait speaks to the theologian's cultural significance and to the power of printed images in disseminating ideas. The use of Latin in the inscription further emphasizes the intellectual context. Understanding this work requires research into the history of the University of Leuven, as well as the religious and political controversies of the 16th century. It's a reminder that art is always embedded in a specific social and institutional context.