Portret van Johann Götz - Johann Alexander Böner

A detailed seventeenth-century engraving by Johann Alexander Böner, depicting the clergyman Johann Götz within an ornate Baroque cartouche.

This engraving by Johann Alexander Böner depicts Johann Götz, a figure of ecclesiastical standing. The portrait follows the conventions of seventeenth-century German printmaking, where the subject is presented within a formal oval frame. The sitter wears a ruff, a garment that suggests a slightly earlier fashion or a conservative clerical style, paired with a dark doublet. His expression is direct, with the gaze meeting the viewer, a common approach in commemorative portraiture of the period.

The surrounding cartouche is a characteristic element of Baroque graphic design. It features scrollwork and volutes that provide a decorative border to the central image. Below the portrait, the inscription identifies the sitter as M. Iohannes Gozius, noting his role as a pastor at St. Sebaldus Church in Nuremberg. The Latin text provides a formal record of his identity and professional status, typical of the era's biographical prints.

Böner, based in Nuremberg, was a prolific engraver known for his technical precision. His work often involved documenting the local clergy, nobility, and city life. The engraving technique relies on fine hatching and cross-hatching to create volume in the face and texture in the ruff. The background behind the sitter features a subtle grid pattern, which adds a sense of depth without distracting from the primary subject. This print is a clear example of the functional, yet aesthetically considered, portraiture produced for inclusion in books or as standalone devotional items. The clarity of the lines and the balanced composition reflect the disciplined approach of the Nuremberg school of engravers during the late seventeenth century.