Artwork
Henrich Daniel Slatius, Arminian Preacher
Henrich Daniel Slatius, Arminian Preacher is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Unknown 19th Century. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The print is a black‑and‑white engraving portraying a bearded man in a ruff collar, his hair cut short and his gaze directed forward.
About this work
Overview
The print is a black‑and‑white engraving portraying a bearded man in a ruff collar, his hair cut short and his gaze directed forward. A Latin inscription forms a crown‑like banner above his head, identifying him as a preacher. He holds a small book whose cover bears a miniature architectural motif.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is identified as Henrich Daniel Slatius, an Arminian preacher noted for his involvement in the political and religious upheavals of his time. The surrounding text emphasizes his clerical role and references his participation in a conflict, suggesting the image was intended to convey both his religious authority and his controversial actions.
Technique & Style
Executed as an engraving, the work relies on incised lines to render fine detail, from the texture of the beard to the intricate lettering of the banner. The stark contrast of black ink on paper highlights the solemn expression and the decorative elements, typical of early modern portrait prints that combined portraiture with textual annotation.
History & Provenance
The print was produced in the early seventeenth century, a period when portrait engravings served both documentary and propagandistic purposes. While the exact publisher is not recorded, such images were often circulated among supporters and opponents to shape public perception of contentious figures like Slatius.
Artist & collection
Artist
