Portret van Johann Gemmel op 51-jarige leeftijd - Nicolaus Häublin

A detailed 17th-century etching by Nicolaus Häublin, depicting the profile portrait of Johann Gemmel, a doctor of law, framed within an ornate laurel wreath.

This etching by Nicolaus Häublin depicts Johann Gemmel at the age of 51. The portrait is executed in a circular format, a common convention for commemorative or scholarly prints of the period. The subject is shown in profile, facing right, which allows for a clear delineation of his facial features, including his beard and receding hairline. He wears a doublet with a chain, indicating his status as a person of professional standing, specifically a doctor of law as noted by the inscription.

The composition is framed by an ornate circular border featuring a laurel wreath motif. A ribbon banner wraps around the upper portion of this frame, bearing the name of the sitter and his professional title. At the base of the circle, a scroll-like cartouche provides additional decorative weight to the design. The background within the circle is rendered with fine cross-hatching, which creates a sense of depth and focus on the subject.

Häublin employs a disciplined etching technique, using varying line weights to define the contours of the face and the texture of the clothing. The print reflects the conventions of late sixteenth and early seventeenth-century German portraiture, where the emphasis is placed on the identity and social role of the individual. The paper shows signs of age, consistent with its historical origin, and the print retains the crispness of the original plate work. This piece offers a view into the visual culture of the era, where such prints were often used to document the appearance of academics and public figures for wider circulation among their peers.