Tobiasz Stimmer

Portrait of Nicolaus Copernicus

wood engraving

1587

Illustration from Icones sive imagines virorum literis illustrium by Nicolaus Reusner published in 1587. The print, a copy of a drawing by Tobias Stimmer, is the earliest published graphic portrait of the astronomer. The portrait features the upper part of Copernicus body turned to the right. The astronomer is holding a lily-of-the-valley - an attribute of physicians - in his right hand. Under his right eyebrow there is a characteristic 'scar' which in fact was on the left side of his face. The engraving was reprinted in later editions of Icones... in 1589, 1590 and 1719.

Regional Museum in Toruń