Portret van Leonhard Thurneisser 1759 - 1815

Heinrich Pfenninger created this portrait of Leonhard Thurneisser, immortalizing a figure who navigated the complex landscape of 16th-century intellectual life. Thurneisser was a complex alchemist, astrologer, and physician, embodying the era's blend of scientific inquiry and esoteric beliefs. This portrait provides a window into the identity of a man who operated on the margins of conventional society. The crisp lines of the engraving highlight Thurneisser’s stern profile, framed by a substantial beard and ruffled collar, marking him as a man of learning. Yet, his pursuits, straddling science and the occult, often placed him at odds with established norms, reflecting the tensions between faith, reason, and the burgeoning scientific revolution. Thurneisser’s story, etched here, remains relevant as we continue to negotiate the boundaries of knowledge, belief, and identity in our own time.