Portretbuste van Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon 1818 - 1848

Jacopo Bernardi made this graphite drawing titled 'Portretbuste van Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon' sometime in the 19th century. Bernardi created this piece during a period when traditional representations of power and intellect were being both celebrated and questioned. The drawing captures the likeness of Georges-Louis Leclerc, a prominent 18th-century French naturalist, mathematician, cosmologist, and encyclopédiste. In rendering this portrait, Bernardi engages with the historical context of the Enlightenment, a time when scientific inquiry and intellectual pursuits were highly valued. The choice to depict Buffon, known for his contributions to natural history, reflects the ongoing fascination with scientific achievement and the desire to immortalize influential figures. Consider the emotional weight of portraying someone posthumously, grappling with themes of memory, legacy, and the complex interplay between individual identity and historical narrative. Bernardi’s drawing makes us reflect on the stories we tell about ourselves and those who came before us.