Johann Gottlob Böhme c. 18th century

Editor: This is Johann Friedrich Bause's portrait of Johann Gottlob Bohme, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. The oval frame gives it a formal, classical feel. What stands out to you? Curator: The wreath, for instance, around the portrait is not merely decorative. It signals accomplishment, victory, even a sort of immortality conferred upon the sitter. What does the act of framing do to our perception? Editor: It immortalizes the subject and elevates him as someone important. Curator: Exactly. The symbolic language of portraiture reinforces cultural memory, shaping how we remember individuals and their contributions through visual cues that resonate across generations. I wonder, what memories do you attach to this portrait? Editor: I see the Enlightenment and ideas about education and progress. Curator: Indeed! Visual symbols really can carry so much weight.