More Faces of Menno by John E. Sharp

Faces of Menno continue to appear in surprising numbers and places. Interest in Menno’s image has not waned since the publication of the articles by Boekenoongen in 1916 or Irvin Horst in 1986. In recent years, and particularly during this year’s commemoration of his 500th birthday, Menno’s face has begun appearing more often--from the premier issue of Mennonot, to the cover of a new Mennonite history text for Mennonite high schools, to the publications of a creative and active Dutch Mennonite committee in the Netherlands. This article is not a comprehensive summary of all portraits of Menno since Tom Shenk’s "self-portrait" in 1975, but only a sampling of the light-hearted drawings and caricatures which have appeared in recent years, as well as a few older, more serious portraits, which Irvin Horst did not include in his 1986 survey.

A. This bas-relief image of Menno was once featured on a marker in Wuestenfeld, Germany. The plaque was stolen in the early fifties, and probably was sold for scrap metal. The photo was taken by Herman Schultz, a student in Hamburg, and given to Reynold Sawatsky while serving under MCC in northern Germany. Credit: Reynold Sawataky Collection, Archives of the Mennonite Church, Goshen, Ind.

B.Painted by Dr. Harold Wittig, Ramsey, New York, 1996, this portrait of Menno is among the many Christian leaders displayed in the Christian Hall of Fame, Canton, Ohio. Credit: Christian Hall of Fame. C. Imprinted with Jakob Burkhard’s 1683 painting, c. 1870, this medal found many uses in the Mennonite congregation of Hamburg-Altona, Germany. The reverse side of the medal shows the seal of this congregation with members from both these neighboring cities. Originally medals like this were presented to baptismal candidates in this congregation as remembrances of their day of baptism. Later this medal was reproduced for various congregational anniversary celebrations. This photo is of a 1937 printing using the original stamp. The dates of Menno’s birth and death, now known to be incorrect, reflect the level of scholarship at that time. Credit: Leonard Gross Artifact Collection, Archives of the Mennonite Church , Goshen, Ind. D. Painted by Heinz Gaugel, this image of Menno is one of hundreds of biblical and historical figures on an amazing 265 foot cyclorama called "Behalt," in the Mennonite Information Center, Berlin, Ohio. E. Since challenging observers to find him in "Where’s Menno at the Relief Sale," Menno has reappeared in Festival Quarterly, Winter 1996. Artwork by Cheryl Benner. From The Mennonite Starter Kit by Haas and Nolt. Copyright 1993 by Good Books. Used by permission. All rights reserved. F. Menno Lisa was featured on the cover of the premier issue of Mennonot, the periodical "for Mennos on the margins," Fall 1993. This tongue-in-cheek production was credited to an anonymous mid-18th century Mennonite artist. Actually, co-editor Steve Mullet created the image by implanting the face of Mona Lisa onto an image of Menno Simons using digital image editing software. He noted that he hadn’t given it much "forethought, though in retrospect, I think it was a really fun and effective image. Mona Lisa is so subtle in expression herself, which made the effect of her face transplant onto Menno pretty laid-back, yet still somewhat striking. I don't know -- perhaps it's the visual equivalent of dry, witty humor." G. This caricature drawn by Mike Burrell will appear on the cover of Through Fire & Water, an Overview of Mennonite History. This high school history text, written by Harry Loewen and Steve Nolt, with Carol Duerksen and Elwood Yoder, will be published by Herald Press later this year. H. From the Netherlands, comes this silk screen of multiple images of Menno designed by Aiso Betten in 1995. It was commissioned by the Dutch Menno-500 Committee for this year’s commemoration. I. This version of a nonchalant Menno appeared in the Dutch Mennonite Weekly, January 1996. J. This visual depiction of Menno’s legendary, accidental and sudden descent into the barrel of syrup which had served as his preaching pulpit is a game card from Glaubenszeugen, Kirchengeschichtliches Quartett (Franfurt a. M.). This game, created by Eugen F. Penner, with artwork by Erwin Maier, was given to the Mennonite Historical Library by H. S. Bender, November 3, 1955. K. This Menno speaks from the pages of the Mennonite Brethren Christian Leader. In a special column marking the quincentennial year of his birth, titled "Simons Says," Menno’s pen answers questions put to him by the editor. L. Modern Menno Joel Alderfer, Harleysville, Pa., makes appearances in Franconia Conference congregations and gatherings wherever he is invited. Joel tells the story of the fugitive preacher in first person. [PHOTO TO BE SUPPLIED]