Portret van Johann Leonard Frisch 1648 - 1663

This is Johann Pfann’s undated portrait of Johann Leonard Frisch, made using engraving. During the 17th century, portraiture was fundamental in constructing and affirming social status, particularly for men in positions of power like Frisch, who was a pastor. Consider how Frisch is presented: the portrait is encircled by Latin text which emphasizes his virtues and standing within the church. The choice of Latin, the language of the educated elite, signals the importance of classical learning and religion in shaping identity and authority during this period. Note also the detailed rendering of Frisch's garments, particularly his ruff. These details not only showcased the wealth of the sitter but also the skill of the artist. Although the image is of an individual, it also tells us a lot about the values of the society he lived in. It invites us to reflect on the relationship between personal identity, social role, and the visual markers of status.