Portret van Nicolaus Nieremberger 1670 - 1737

This is Andreas Matthäus Wolfgang’s engraving of Nicolaus Nieremberger. Wolfgang created this print to commemorate Nieremberger, who was born in 1646 and died in 1705. Nieremberger was a minister and professor of theology. Here, he is depicted in dark robes with a pristine white ruff, holding what appears to be a religious text. Framing the portrait are inscriptions that speak to Nieremberger’s virtues and devotion. The historical context is crucial. Following the Reformation, religious identity was deeply intertwined with political and social power. Portraits like this served not only to memorialize individuals but also to affirm their role within a specific religious and intellectual framework. The choice of Latin for the inscriptions underscores the educated and elite status of the sitter, reflecting a society where class and religious affiliation were closely linked. The emotional resonance of this piece lies in its attempt to immortalize a man through his faith and intellect, capturing a sense of reverence and the weight of religious authority in 18th-century society.