Portret van Samuel Friedrich Nathanael Morus 1793

This is Johann Friedrich Bause’s portrait of Samuel Friedrich Nathanael Morus, made sometime in the late 18th century, using etching. Engravings like these were important for circulating images of prominent intellectuals, solidifying their reputation. Morus was a well-known theologian and professor in Leipzig, so this image speaks to the cultural and intellectual life of the German Enlightenment. The trappings of the portrait are quite simple: Morus is framed by a laurel wreath and his name is clearly inscribed below. Note the suggestion of classical virtue through the reference to ancient Roman symbols like the wreath, with the sitter presented as a man of learning and reason. To understand the significance of this image, historians might consult archives to learn more about Morus’s place in German intellectual history. We must consider how these images contribute to the creation of historical narratives about important figures in society and their impact on the time.