Portret van Johann Jodocus Schmidmair von Schwarzenbruck - Johann Pfann

A detailed seventeenth-century engraving by Johann Pfann, featuring a portrait of Johann Jodocus Schmidmair von Schwarzenbruck with symbolic memento mori elements.

This engraving by Johann Pfann depicts Johann Jodocus Schmidmair von Schwarzenbruck at the age of thirty-seven. The work follows the conventions of seventeenth-century portraiture, where the subject is presented with symbols of status, intellect, and lineage. The sitter stands in a three-quarter pose, dressed in the formal attire of the period, including a doublet and a wide, flat collar. He holds a hat in one hand, while his other hand rests upon a table, pointing towards a pocket watch. This inclusion of a timepiece serves as a memento mori, a common motif in Baroque art that reminds the viewer of the transient nature of time and human existence.

The portrait is enclosed within an elaborate architectural frame, a hallmark of the period's printmaking. The top cartouche contains the sitter's name and age, while the lower section features a German inscription that praises his virtues, specifically his piety, bravery, and generosity. To the right of the figure, a coat of arms is displayed, reinforcing the subject's noble status. The background features a heavy, draped curtain, which adds a sense of theatricality to the composition. Pfann employs precise, controlled lines to define the textures of the fabric, the sheen of the metal, and the contours of the face. The shading is achieved through a combination of cross-hatching and stippling, creating a sense of volume and depth within the two-dimensional medium. This print is a fine example of the technical skill required for portrait engraving during the mid-seventeenth century, capturing both the individual likeness and the social aspirations of the sitter.