Portrait of Theophrastus Paracelsus
Original title: Portrait of Theophrastus Paracelsus
kurzbeschreibung
Between 1615 and 1643, Pieter Van Sompel engraved this portrait of Theophrastus Paracelsus. The celebrated physician and alchemist appears in bust length, wearing a fur cap and a medal. The print survives in the first of two states (Hollstein).
Description
Long, curly hair spills from beneath a fur cap. The man wears a dark gown with a striking fur collar, and a medal hangs at his chest. The background stays plain and dark, focusing attention on the sitter. At the bottom edge of the sheet, a block of Latin inscriptions provides information about the subject and the engraver. The linework follows Renaissance conventions, with careful strokes and hatching.
Context
Theophrastus Paracelsus (1493–1541), a Swiss physician, alchemist, and natural philosopher, fundamentally changed the medicine of his time. The Dutch engraver Pieter Van Sompel produced this portrait in the early 17th century, long after Paracelsus's death. It was likely intended as a frontispiece for an edition of his writings or as a collector's item for followers of his teachings. The Latin inscription below underscores the scholarly and authoritative claim of the figure.
Impact
The dark background and precise linework give the sheet a dignified, serious air. Hair and clothing are rendered in such detail that the portrait feels almost physical and directly addresses the viewer.
Technique
For this engraving, lines were cut into a copper plate and then printed. Fine hatching and cross-hatching create graduated shadows and textures characteristic of the Renaissance. The present impression is from the first of two states, suggesting early circulation.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)