Johannes Wesselius Portrait: An 18th Century Engraving/Etching by Houbraken, 1741

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This is an 18th century engraved and etched portrait of Johannes Wesselius by Jacobus Houbraken after a painting by Jan … Read more This is an 18th century engraved and etched portrait of Johannes Wesselius by Jacobus Houbraken after a painting by Jan Maurits Quinkhard. It depicts a half-height image of Wesselius dressed in the attire of a wealthy religious figure of the time with a sumptuous robe over his shirt and collar. His right hand appears to be reaching for a button on his shirt. There are two statements below the portrait, the one on the left in Latin and in Dutch on the right.

This portrait is printed on laid, chain-linked paper with very wide margins. The sheet measures 19" high and 13.5" wide. There is spotting, discoloration and some wrinkling in the margins, none of which involves the image. There are three pinholes at the lower edge of the lower margin and one in each right corner, as well as a short tear at the edge of the right margin and a tiny tear at the left edge, which are professionally repaired on the verso.
The print is held by several museums and institutions, including the Riksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Johannes Wesselius (1671-1745 ) was a Dutch philosopher and theologian born in 1671 in the town of Leeuwarden, in the province of Friesland, Netherlands. He studied theology and philosophy at the University of Franeker, where he obtained his doctorate in theology in 1696. He then worked as a pastor in various towns in the Netherlands before becoming a professor of theology at the University of Franeker in 1709. Wesselius was known for his contributions to philosophical and theological thought in the Netherlands during the early 18th century. He was a follower of the philosopher René Descartes and advocated for the use of reason and rational inquiry in theology. He wrote several works on philosophy and theology, including "Philosophia Rationalis," "Theologia Naturalis," and "Philosophia Practica." In addition to his academic pursuits, Wesselius was also involved in politics and served as a member of the Provincial States of Friesland, a legislative body in the Netherlands. He died in 1745 in Franeker, where he had spent much of his academic career. Wesselius is remembered for his contributions to the fields of philosophy and theology in the Netherlands during the early 18th century. See less