Portret van Petrus Camper 1786 - 1809

Reinier Vinkeles created this portrait of Petrus Camper, an influential figure of the Dutch Enlightenment, through etching. During the 18th century, scientific inquiry was deeply entangled with social and political ideologies. Camper, a physician, anatomist, and physical anthropologist, contributed significantly to the development of scientific racism through his theory of facial angle, which posited a hierarchy of human races based on skull measurements. This pseudo-scientific approach perpetuated harmful stereotypes and contributed to the justification of slavery and colonialism. Consider how Vinkeles, as an artist living in this era, might have been complicit in reinforcing these biases through his portrayal of Camper. The etching presents a distinguished, intellectual figure, seemingly endorsing Camper's views. This portrait serves as a reminder of how art can both reflect and shape societal attitudes, raising important questions about representation, power, and the legacy of scientific racism.