Portret van Johann Conrad Grebel 1669 - 1689

Conrad Meyer created this portrait of Johann Conrad Grebel, employing etching techniques. Notice how the oval format concentrates our attention, framing Grebel's dignified countenance, set against a backdrop of meticulously inscribed text. The stark contrast between the dark attire and the crisp, white ruff collar directs our gaze to the face, capturing the sitter's direct and confident expression. The use of line is especially strategic, where fine, dense strokes define the facial features, contrasting with the more open, flowing lines of the hair and collar. Meyer has not only created a likeness but also constructed a visual emblem of status and intellect. The inscribed text, acting as a frame, adds layers of meaning, typical of the period's engagement with classical learning and its application to contemporary identity. Meyer's work invites us to consider how formal elements are deployed to construct and convey specific messages.