Portret van Johannes Carolus de la Faille 1630 - 1677

Adriaen Lommelin created this portrait of Johannes Carolus de la Faille, a mathematician and member of the Society of Jesus, through engraving. Portraits like this offer a window into the cultural and intellectual life of the 17th century, shaped by the intersections of religion, science, and politics. De la Faille’s Jesuit identity is important as it situates him within a historical context marked by religious authority, and the early development of modern mathematics. His hat and robe mark his religious affiliation, his tools reference his academic focus and his globe perhaps alludes to the intersection of faith and discovery during the Age of Exploration. Lommelin’s engraving exists as an artifact of its time, reflecting the values, knowledge, and power structures that defined the world around it. As such, portraits were tools to solidify one's legacy, status, and identity.