Jan Cornelius Sylvius, Preacher

The etching from 1646 is a posthumous portrait of Sylvius and includes Latin verses that stress the importance of living the teachings of Jesus. Again depicted with Bible in hand, the preacher gestures as though he were delivering a lively sermon. Sylvius’ outstretched hand reaches beyond the oval format—and, metaphorically, beyond the grave—casting an illusionistic shadow upon the page of the print itself. Sylvius appears most alive in this memorial, created eight years after his death.