Portret van Johann Jacob Irminger 1660

Conrad Meyer created this portrait of Johann Jacob Irminger, a man of the church in Zurich, using engraving techniques. Notice how Meyer has carefully composed the image to draw our eye directly to Irminger's face. The play of light and shadow across his features gives him a sense of warmth. Below, the subject's hands are clasped around an open book which adds to the narrative and reveals his professional life. Consider how Meyer uses line and texture. The fabric of Irminger's robes is carefully delineated with a series of fine lines, each precisely placed to suggest depth and volume. These formal elements contribute to the overall sobriety and gravity of the portrait. The linear precision, characteristic of engraving, conveys a sense of clarity and order. This is more than a likeness; it’s a carefully constructed representation meant to convey authority.