Portret van Bernard Siegfried Albinus 1798 - 1841

Ambroise Tardieu made this print of Bernard Siegfried Albinus. It places him within the context of the French medical institutions of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Albinus was a professor of anatomy, surgery, and therapeutics at the University of Leyde. The print underscores the importance of academic and medical institutions in shaping scientific authority and knowledge dissemination. The image presents Albinus in formal attire, a powdered wig, and a composed demeanor, visual cues that convey his status and intellectual credibility within the medical community. Prints like these were often commissioned by the sitter. The visual language of the image served to reinforce the sitter’s public image and professional standing. As historians, we examine records, publications, and institutional archives to better understand the role of figures like Albinus and the social and intellectual forces influencing their work. By investigating the context surrounding the image, we discover the intricate relationship between art, science, and society.