Portrait of Alexander von Humboldt 1829

Editor: This is Johann Friedrich Bolt's portrait of Alexander von Humboldt. It's a small engraving, no bigger than my hand! What's striking is how...official it feels. What do you make of its formality? Curator: The formality reflects the rising importance of scientific figures in the public sphere. Humboldt was a celebrity scientist. Portraits like this helped to construct and disseminate his image, shaping public perception of knowledge and exploration. Editor: So, it's as much about building a persona as capturing a likeness? Curator: Precisely. And think about who commissioned and consumed these images. How did this shape the narrative around Humboldt and his work? Editor: That's given me a lot to think about. I never considered a portrait could be such a powerful tool.