Portret van Johann Picardt op 44-jarige leeftijd en een vignet met voorstelling van de uitstorting van de Heilige Geest

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

This engraving, created between 1711 and 2 by Wolfgang Philipp Kil and Michael Heinrich Rentz, presents a dual composition: a portrait of Johann Picardt at age 44 alongside a vignette illustrating the biblical outpour of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Measuring just 56 by 121 millimeters, the small scale suggests it was likely designed as a book illustration or devotional print, allowing intimate viewing of its fine details. The medium of engraving was highly valued in the early eighteenth century for its precision and ability to reproduce intricate line work, making religious and scholarly subjects widely accessible. Kilian, known for his work in Augsburg, and Rentz collaborated here to blend portraiture with symbolic narrative, a common approach in Baroque-era prints that connected individual identity to broader Christian themes. The presence of the Lugt 2228 collector’s mark further highlights its journey through notable print collections, underscoring the enduring appeal of such engravings among connoisseurs interested in historical figures and religious iconography.