A detailed seventeenth-century engraving by William Faithorne the Elder, depicting the historian Johann Sleidan within a formal oval frame.

This engraving by William Faithorne the Elder depicts the German historian and diplomat Johann Sleidan. Faithorne, a master of the burin, utilised the formal conventions of seventeenth-century portraiture to render his subject. The composition follows a classic structure: the sitter is enclosed within an oval frame, which is set atop a stone plinth. This plinth contains a Latin inscription detailing the dates of Sleidan's birth, his diplomatic missions, and his death in 1556.

The portrait captures the subject in a scholarly guise, wearing a cap and a dark, heavy-collared garment with a modest ruff. Faithorne employed precise, rhythmic hatching to model the facial features and the texture of the clothing. The surrounding oval frame is adorned with a ribbon motif at the top, a common decorative element in the print culture of the period. The clarity of the lines and the controlled use of shadow demonstrate the technical rigour for which Faithorne was known during his career in London.

Johann Sleidan, born Johannes Philippson, is remembered for his historical accounts of the Reformation. This print was produced for a publication, as indicated by the credit to the printers Henry Bonwicke and Abel Swalle at the base. The work provides a clear example of the portrait engraving style that dominated the English book trade during the late seventeenth century. It reflects the period's interest in documenting historical figures through high-quality graphic reproduction. The print remains a record of both the subject's historical identity and the technical capabilities of the English printmaking tradition under Faithorne's influence.