An engraving featuring a portrait of Menno Simons, the Anabaptist leader. He is portrayed as an elderly man with a long, flowing white beard, wearing a skullcap and a heavy, dark scholar's robe. He is seated in a study; to his left is a desk with an open Bible, an inkwell with quills, and several large books. His right hand gestures toward the open Bible, while his left hand points toward his chest. Behind him, an arched window looks out onto a light space, and to his right are shelves packed with thick, bound volumes. On the floor in the foreground, another open book lies near his feet, bearing the artist's signature.

The following text is a translation of the Dutch biblical passages visible on the open Bible on the desk in the engraving. These verses from the Sermon on the Mount are foundational to Anabaptist theology regarding the refusal to swear oaths and the practice of non-resistance.

Gospel
but I say to you
swear not at all
by heaven; for it
is the throne of God. Nor
by the earth because it
is the footstool of his feet
is; nor by Jerusalem; for
it is the city of the great
King. Nor by your head...
but let your word be yes yes
no no: what is more than that...
You have heard that it was said...
eye for eye tooth for tooth.

Matthew.
but I say to you, that you
the evil one Not resist:
but whoever on the right
cheek strikes you, turn to him
the other as well.
And if anyone with you...
and your coat...
take him...
compulsion...
take...
let them...
also the cloak.

MENNO SIMONS.

Born at Witmarsen, in Friesland Witmarsen is a village in the northern Netherlands where Menno Simons originally served as a Catholic priest., in the year 1496. And died at Woestervelt Also known as Wüstenfelde, this was a protected estate in Holstein where Menno Simons spent his final years in relative safety. in the year 1561 on the 13th of January in the 66th year of his age.

original: "Jan Luyken inv: sculp: et fecit." Jan Luyken designed, engraved, and made this.