Portret van Johann Augustin Philipp Gesner 1798

This is a portrait of Johann Augustin Philipp Gesner, created as an engraving by Christoph-Wilhelm Bock in 1798. Gesner, born in 1738, was a doctor, and this image speaks to the visual language of status and intellectual prowess in the late 18th century. Consider the conventions of portraiture during this period: the subject, a white man, is centered, his gaze direct, framed in a circle, and dressed in the attire of the professional class. This style of representation, while seemingly straightforward, reinforces a particular social hierarchy. It was a period marked by the Enlightenment and burgeoning scientific inquiry, yet also deeply entrenched social inequalities. Bock's engraving captures more than just Gesner's likeness; it embodies the values and power structures of his time, subtly reflecting how knowledge and identity were carefully constructed and presented. While the portrait celebrates the individual, it also invites us to reflect on who is included—and excluded—from such visual narratives of success.