Portret van Johann Christian Christoph Rüdiger 1785 - 1823

Daniel Beyel produced this print of Johann Christian Christoph Rüdiger, a professor and cameralist in Halle, sometime around the turn of the 19th century. As a portrait, it presents us with the image of a man of status, with his powdered wig and formal coat. But it also speaks to the values of the German Enlightenment. Rüdiger’s title, “cameralist,” refers to a field of public administration focused on economic efficiency and state power. Cameralists sought to apply reason and empirical observation to governance, reflecting the Enlightenment belief in the power of human intellect to improve society. Halle, where Rüdiger worked, was a center of Pietism and Enlightenment thought. The university there promoted new ideas about education, religious tolerance, and state reform. Understanding this print means looking beyond its surface. By researching the intellectual and institutional history of 18th century Germany, we can better understand the social values it represents.