Portret van Philipp Daniel Lippert 1752 - 1803

Christian Gottlieb Geyser made this print of Philipp Daniel Lippert using etching in the 18th century in Germany. Lippert was a renowned collector of engraved gems, and this print celebrates his contribution to the study of classical art. The portrait is framed by an oval and includes a ribbon, a book, and what look like ancient coins. These are visual markers that associate Lippert with the traditions of art scholarship. Lippert compiled a famous collection of plaster casts, known as a ‘dactyliotheca’ to classify ancient art, and he opened his collection to the public. In this way, he was part of a broader movement to expose the public to art and to educate people about the classical world. Historians can use prints such as this, along with other historical sources, to better understand the social role of art in the 1700s. It’s interesting to note that institutions like museums and public collections have a long and complex history.