Portret van Hieronymus Schlapriz omgeven door medische instrumenten 1660 - 1690

This is Hieronymus van Hensbergen’s portrait of Hieronymus Schlapritz, surrounded by medical instruments. The composition is striking. The central oval containing Schlapritz is surrounded by text and vignettes of medical tools, creating a visual field packed with detail. The texture, achieved through fine engraving, gives a tactile quality, almost inviting touch. Consider the structure here: the rigid tools contrast with the soft, flowing hair of the portrait, and the ordered text with the chaotic arrangement of instruments. This tension suggests a mind that balances precision with complexity. The framing oval confines, yet simultaneously elevates, Schlapritz. The ensemble invites us to consider the role of representation. Is this merely a likeness, or does it function as a symbol, an embodiment of medical knowledge and practice? It compels us to reflect on how portraits not only capture likeness but also construct identities and embody social meanings.