(OECOLAMPADIUS, Johannes) (1482-1531), German scholar and preacher who led the Reformation in Basel, Switzerland. Originally named Johannes Hursgen, he was born at Weinsberg, in Bavaria. Trained in classical languages, he Grecized his last name and moved to Basel in 1515 to assist the Dutch humanist scholar Desiderius Erasmus in preparing his Greek New Testament. After two years (1518-20) as a preacher at Augsburg, Germany, Oecolampadius entered a Bridgettine monastery. His discovery of the work of Martin Luther and his increasing discontent with the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation prompted him to leave in 1522. Returning to Basel, he became a professor of theology and preached at Saint Martin's Church. Thereafter, he was an ardent supporter of the Reformation. Old original mezzotint portrait, cropped & mounted, 7-3/4 x 8-7/8. Engraved by R. Houston. The artist is Richard Houston (17211775) the Irish mezzotint engraver, whose career was mostly in London. Born in Dublin about 1721, he became a pupil of John Brooks, who was also the master of James McArdell and Charles Spooner. He came to London about 1747, and some of his early plates bear the address "near Drummond's at Charing Cross". In debt to Robert Sayer the print-seller, he was arrested and confined to the Fleet prison; according to Sayer this in order that he might know where to find the dissipated Houston. He was released in 1760, on the accession of George III. As a free agent he was commissioned by Carington Bowles. Houston died in Hetton Street, London, on 4 August 1775, aged 54. Excellent 18th century portrait.

VG