Portret van Samuel Pufendorf 1735

Jacob Houbraken made this print of Samuel Pufendorf using etching and engraving. Made in the Netherlands, the image encapsulates the 18th century's reverence for intellectuals. Pufendorf, a renowned jurist and historian, is framed as an emblem of Enlightenment thought. Visual cues—the elaborate wig and formal attire—speak to Pufendorf's status and the importance of social hierarchy during this period. The print's creation and display in public collections also illustrate the era's growing interest in celebrating individual achievement through institutional recognition. This raises questions about who is included in the historical record and what kinds of social values are being promoted. To fully understand the image we can research the printmaking industry of the Dutch Golden Age, the cultural and intellectual environment that shaped Pufendorf's ideas, and the institutions that supported the production and circulation of such images.