Jean Philippe Baratier presented by Minerva, German scholar 1735

Antoine Pesne created this engraving titled "Jean Philippe Baratier presented by Minerva, German scholar." Let’s consider the identities represented here, and their relation to the enlightenment era, when reason and knowledge were celebrated. The artist emphasizes this by depicting Jean Philippe Baratier, a child prodigy, with Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom. In this way, Baratier’s intellectual gifts are presented as divinely inspired, reinforcing his image as an exceptional figure. But who gets to be seen as embodying knowledge, and how are they presented? The portrayal of Baratier as a young, white, male scholar reflects the limited scope of who was considered to be an intellectual during this time. He is idealized, almost angelic, in contrast to the mature and formidable Minerva. Ultimately, the artwork is a striking reminder of the power dynamics inherent in the pursuit and representation of knowledge. It asks us to consider whose voices and faces were elevated, and whose were marginalized, in the historical construction of wisdom.