Portret van Immanuel Kant 1721 - 1771

Johann David Schleuen made this print of Immanuel Kant using etching, sometime in the 18th century. The print presents Kant, the eminent philosopher of the Enlightenment, in an oval frame, set upon a pedestal, like a classical bust. The visual codes here are clear: Kant is presented as an intellectual worthy of admiration and reverence. This imagery connects to the public role of the philosopher in the 18th century as someone who provides clarity and guidance through reason. Kant lived and worked during a time of significant social and political change, including the rise of democratic ideals and challenges to traditional authority. Kant’s own writings explore questions of individual autonomy, reason, and moral duty, all of which had implications for the social and political order. Looking at art such as this reminds us that its meaning is deeply rooted in its social and institutional context. To fully understand it, historians consult a wide range of resources, including letters, publications, and other cultural artifacts from the period.