Portret van Johann Adam Schertzer 1667 - 1709

Johann Christoph Boecklin created this engraving of Johann Adam Schertzer. Schertzer was a professor of theology in Leipzig during the late 17th century, a period marked by the rise of Lutheran Orthodoxy. Boecklin's portrait captures the austere demeanor expected of religious figures, reinforcing established hierarchies and norms of the time. Yet, within the rigidity of the portrait, there's a hint of individuality in Schertzer's gaze. Engravings like this served not only as personal mementos but also as tools for constructing and disseminating identities within specific social and intellectual circles. This image reflects the complex negotiation between personal identity, religious doctrine, and societal expectation, inviting us to consider the multifaceted nature of identity formation in the early modern period.