Portret van Hermanus Boerhaave 1722 - 1776

Johannes de Groot created this print of Hermanus Boerhaave using etching and engraving techniques. Boerhaave, a professor, chemist, botanist, and physician, was a central figure in the Enlightenment era, where science and reason were emphasized. This portrait embodies that era's focus on the individual and their intellectual achievements. The skull and laurel wreath at the base can be read as symbols of mortality intertwined with academic excellence. During this time, social hierarchies were visibly reinforced through portraiture. Boerhaave's identity as an educated, upper-class man is clearly represented in his attire and dignified pose. De Groot's decision to immortalize him speaks to the societal values placed on intellect and status during the 18th century. This image serves not only as a record of a person, but also of the values of his time.