Portrait of Stanislaus Kieserus - Eberhard Kieser

A detailed seventeenth-century engraving by Eberhard Kieser, featuring a portrait of the clergyman Stanislaus Kieserus within an architectural frame.

This seventeenth-century engraving by Eberhard Kieser depicts the clergyman Stanislaus Kieserus. The composition follows the conventions of early modern portraiture, placing the subject within an architectural frame. Kieserus is shown in a half-length pose, holding a small book, which signifies his scholarly and religious vocation. His attire, featuring a modest ruff and doublet, reflects the typical dress of a Protestant pastor during this period.

The background includes a depiction of a castle, likely a reference to the subject's place of ministry or residence. Above the portrait, two putti support a decorative arch adorned with floral garlands, a common motif in the print culture of the era. The lower section contains a cartouche with Latin text detailing the subject's birth and death dates, alongside a brief eulogistic inscription. The precision of the line work, particularly in the rendering of the beard and the folds of the clothing, demonstrates the technical skill required for copperplate engraving.

Eberhard Kieser was a publisher and engraver based in Frankfurt. His work often involved the production of portrait series and historical documentation. This print, dated 1628, serves as a record of a specific individual, typical of the commemorative portraiture produced for ecclesiastical and academic circles in the Holy Roman Empire. The inclusion of the artist's name and the date at the base of the cartouche provides clear provenance for the work. The print is a fine example of the graphic arts of the period, where text and image were integrated to convey both the likeness and the status of the sitter.