Philip Melanchthon 1540

Heinrich Aldegrever's 1540 engraving, *Philip Melanchthon,* is a striking portrait of the renowned German theologian. Melanchthon, a key figure in the Protestant Reformation, is depicted in a realistic and detailed manner, with his face rendered in fine lines, highlighting his distinctive features. The inscription at the bottom of the print, "Plurima, qui relegis, docti monumenta Philippi," translates to "Many, reader, are the learned monuments of Philip," acknowledging Melanchthon's extensive writings and contributions to scholarship. This artwork exemplifies Aldegrever's skill in portraiture and his ability to capture the likeness of his subject with impressive accuracy.