Portret van Paul Matthias Wehner - Michael Rössler

A detailed seventeenth-century engraving by Michael Rössler, depicting the jurist Paul Matthias Wehner in formal attire with his coat of arms.

This engraving by Michael Rössler depicts Paul Matthias Wehner, a notable jurist of the early seventeenth century. The composition follows the conventions of period portraiture, presenting the subject in a half-length pose. Wehner is dressed in the formal attire of his station, featuring a doublet with a patterned surface and a wide, flat collar. His hand rests upon the hilt of a sword, a common attribute for men of status during this era.

The print incorporates several elements typical of seventeenth-century graphic art. To the left, a heavy curtain is draped, providing a sense of depth and theatricality. To the right, a coat of arms is displayed, signifying the subject's lineage or social standing. The background is filled with a fine cross-hatched pattern, which creates a neutral field that allows the figure to emerge clearly.

Below the portrait, a Latin inscription provides biographical context, identifying Wehner as a legal scholar and referencing his travels through France and Italy. The text serves to document his intellectual reputation and professional achievements. The engraving technique is precise, with varied line weights used to define the textures of the fabric, the contours of the face, and the metallic sheen of the sword hilt. The work reflects the meticulous approach of German printmakers of the period, who often produced such portraits for inclusion in books or as independent commemorative sheets. The clarity of the lines and the balanced arrangement of the visual elements demonstrate the technical proficiency required for high-quality copperplate engraving in the Baroque era.