Portret van Johannes Meisner 1665 - 1721

This is Christian Romstet’s ‘Portret van Johannes Meisner’, an engraving of the theologian Johannes Meisner. Portraits were important status symbols in the 17th and 18th centuries, especially in a society governed by religious doctrine. Meisner was a professor of theology, as well as a senior member of a local church. Positioned within a decorative frame of cherubic figures, Romstet's rendering of Meisner adheres to traditional methods of portraying powerful men. And yet, there are elements that provide alternative narratives. There is a subtle emotionality in the way Meisner holds the paper, and in his gaze. Instead of fixating on his power, one can almost feel the weight of his intellectual responsibility. The Latin phrases throughout the image speak to Meisner's belief in the importance of his teachings for future generations: "We sow trees for posterity." This engraving offers a glimpse into the emotional and intellectual life of a man who held significant religious power.