Portret van Gottlieb Spitzel 1691 - 1693

This is Elias Hainzelmann's engraving of Gottlieb Spitzel. Made in the late 17th century, its formal style reflects the cultural and religious structures of the time. Engravings like this played a crucial role in disseminating images of prominent figures. Here, Spitzel, likely a theologian, is presented within an oval frame inscribed with Latin text emphasizing devotion beyond earthly life. Hainzelmann worked in Augsburg, a city marked by religious division after the Reformation. The choice of Latin, a language of the church, and Spitzel’s clerical attire, signal his status and theological leanings. Such portraits supported the social standing of their subjects, but also speak to the power of printmaking in shaping public perception. By studying the symbols, inscriptions, and artistic conventions, along with period documents, historians can unpack the complex interplay between art, religion, and social identity in 17th-century Augsburg. Art is always contingent on its time.