Portret van Jean-Alphonse Turrettini 1759 - 1815

Heinrich Pfenninger created this print of Jean-Alphonse Turrettini, a Genevan theologian, during a period of significant religious and intellectual ferment. Turrettini, part of a patrician class, advocated for a more rational approach to theology, aligning with Enlightenment ideals. This portrait captures Turrettini with the markers of status: his elaborate wig and formal attire signal his position within the social hierarchy of 18th-century Geneva. It is interesting to note how these visual cues intertwine with his theological stance; his advocacy for reason was itself a challenge to traditional religious authority. Portraits like this one often served to solidify the subject's legacy and project a certain image of authority. Looking at this portrait, one can consider how individuals like Turrettini navigated the complex landscape of faith, reason, and social status during the Enlightenment. The print offers a glimpse into the identity construction of influential figures in a rapidly changing world.