Man met boeken 1750 - 1810

This engraving by William Humphrey depicts a man with books, and was made in England in the late 18th century. During this time, the Enlightenment was in full swing, emphasizing reason, science, and individual rights. The man's attire and pose suggest a scholar or intellectual, deeply engaged in the world of ideas. The image creates meaning through the visual code of dress, associating the sitter with the learned professions. England during the 1700s saw the rise of institutions like the Royal Society that promoted the production and dissemination of knowledge. This work may subtly critique the existing social structures of its time, promoting the values of education. To fully understand the engraving, one can refer to historical sources like library records, the records of learned societies, the history of the book, and contemporary writings on education. In the end, art's meaning is contingent on the social and institutional context in which it was produced and received.