Portret van Nikolaus Selnecker - Johann Theodor de Bry

A detailed engraving by Johann Theodor de Bry depicting the theologian Nikolaus Selnecker, complete with scholarly attributes and period-accurate architectural framing.

This engraving by Johann Theodor de Bry depicts the theologian Nikolaus Selnecker (1532-1592). The composition follows the conventions of late sixteenth-century portraiture, presenting the subject in a half-length pose behind a stone ledge. Selnecker is shown with a full beard and wearing a fur-lined robe, reflecting his status as a scholar and cleric. His hand rests upon a small book, while a quill and inkwell sit on the ledge before him, symbols of his intellectual output.

The portrait is framed by an architectural arch, decorated with floral motifs in the upper corners. A Latin inscription encircles the upper portion of the arch, identifying the sitter, while a secondary inscription on the ledge provides his birth and death dates. Below the image, a Latin couplet praises his contributions to theology and writing. The engraving technique demonstrates the precision characteristic of the de Bry family, who were active in Frankfurt and known for their extensive output of prints, maps, and illustrated books.

Johann Theodor de Bry, the son of the engraver Theodor de Bry, continued the family tradition of producing high-quality prints that circulated throughout Europe. This work serves as a record of a prominent figure in the Lutheran church, capturing the gravity and academic rigour associated with the period. The clean lines and controlled hatching create a sense of volume and texture, particularly in the rendering of the fur collar and the folds of the garment. The print is a clear example of the portrait engraving style that became common in academic and ecclesiastical circles during the late Renaissance, providing a visual identity for figures of influence in the intellectual life of the era.