Portret van Salomon Maimon 1760 - 1813

Wilhelm Arndt made this print of Salomon Maimon using etching and engraving techniques. Maimon was a philosopher who was part of the Jewish Haskalah, the Jewish Enlightenment, which advocated for the integration of Jews into European society. Produced in Prussia at the end of the 18th century, this portrait of Maimon exemplifies the way the Enlightenment valued reason and intellectual pursuits. The print, with its Neoclassical oval frame, presents Maimon in profile, a format often used for portraits of prominent figures. Maimon’s wig and attire signal his engagement with contemporary intellectual circles and a move away from traditional Jewish dress. The Rijksmuseum, like other European museums, played a role in constructing national identity and showcasing cultural achievements through the collection of art. Studying sources like Maimon's writings and correspondence and the records of Enlightenment institutions, such as academies and salons, could enrich our understanding of this image. Through this kind of research, the historian can consider the politics of representation and the public role of art in the context of German intellectual history.