Salomon Gessner c. 18th century

Curator: This portrait of Salomon Gessner, crafted by Johann Heinrich Lips, immediately speaks to the Enlightenment ideals of reason and intellect, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. The neoclassical style, with its emphasis on order and clarity, positions Gessner as a figure of authority, almost a Roman senator. I'm drawn to the circular framing. Curator: It's a visual strategy placing Gessner within a tradition of notable figures memorialized throughout history, but the very act of framing begs the question of who is included and excluded from dominant narratives. Editor: True, and the profile view itself feels significant. It’s as if the artist sought to capture not just Gessner's likeness, but also the essence of his character, revealing a particular kind of masculinity as well. Curator: These clean lines and calculated composition seem intended to project an air of self-assuredness, but how do we interpret such deliberate control of the image through a contemporary lens? Editor: Perhaps the image invites us to consider the values and aspirations of the era—and, crucially, how they shaped notions of identity that are still with us today.