Portret van Rodolphus Hospinianus

About this artwork

Onderdeel van een serie van 62 portretten van priesters en theologen van Zürich. Zie Hollstein German 111, 1-41.

Art Historical Context

This engraving by Conrad Meyer, created in 1679, presents a dignified portrait of Rodolphus Hospinianus as part of a larger series documenting sixty-two priests and theologians from Zürich. Rendered in the precise lines of engraving—a medium prized in the seventeenth century for its ability to produce detailed, reproducible images—the work measures just over 21 by 14 centimeters, making it well suited for inclusion in printed collections or scholarly volumes. The series reflects the cultural importance of preserving the likenesses of Zürich’s religious leaders during a period when Protestant identity and intellectual heritage were actively commemorated. By gathering these portraits together, the project served both as a historical record and as a visual tribute to the city’s theological tradition. Meyer’s engraving technique allowed fine gradations of tone and texture, lending a sense of lifelike presence to the sitter while ensuring the image could circulate widely among scholars and collectors. Today the print offers viewers a window into how communities of the early modern era honored their spiritual and intellectual forebears through the enduring medium of print.

About the Artist

Conrad Meyer · 1618–1689

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