Portret van Pierre Louis Maupertuis 1775 - 1834

Konrad Westermayr created this print of Pierre Louis Maupertuis sometime between the late 18th and early 19th century. Maupertuis, who lived from 1698 to 1759, was a French mathematician, philosopher, and scientist who directed the Academy of Berlin under Frederick the Great. The portrait offers us a glimpse into the visual culture of the Enlightenment, a period defined by its emphasis on reason, scientific inquiry, and individualism. Maupertuis is depicted in an oval frame, a convention which harkens back to ancient cameo portraits, enhancing his status and intellectual prowess. But it is a status conferred upon him by the artist. Westermayr, as a member of the court, stood to gain from association with powerful intellectuals. This image is more than a simple depiction; it is a carefully constructed representation of Enlightenment ideals, illustrating the complex relationships between power, knowledge, and artistic patronage.