Portret van Jan Rokycana

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Portret van Jan Rokyc** is a delicate engraving by Jan Balzer, created sometime between 1746 and1799. This intimate portrait captures Jan Rokycana (c. 1396–1471), the influential Archbishop of Prague and a key figure in the 15th-century Hussite movement—a Protestant reform effort that challenged Catholic authority in Bohemia. Balzer, likely an 18th-century Dutch engr, revives Rokycana's likeness in small format (167 × 112 mm), making it a portable tribute to a reformer whose sermons and leadership shaped early religious dissent in Europe. Engraving, an intaglio printmaking technique, allowed Balzer to achieve fine lines and rich tonal contrasts, ideal for reproducing detailed portraits from historical sources. This medium was popular in the Enlightenment era for disseminating images of notable figures, bridging past and present through affordable multiples. The work's compact size suggests it was designed for personal collections or scholarly use, reflecting the growing interest in ecclesiastical history. Bearing the collector's mark Lugt 2228—a stamp cataloged by Frits Lugt as evidence of esteemed provenance—this piece underscores its value among print enthusiasts. It invites visitors to ponder how engravings like this preserved the legacies of reformers, fostering cultural memory across centuries.