Portret van Jean Barbeyrac 1759 - 1815

Heinrich Pfenninger created this portrait of Jean Barbeyrac with etching, a printmaking technique, sometime between 1749 and 1815. The image offers us a glimpse into the world of 18th-century intellectual elites and their modes of representation. Barbeyrac, a law professor and translator, is depicted here with a full wig, which was not simply a fashion statement but a marker of status and intellect during the Enlightenment. This was a period defined by the pursuit of knowledge and reason. Pfenninger's choice to portray Barbeyrac in this manner situates him firmly within the era’s intellectual landscape, emphasizing his role as a learned and respected figure. As we consider the portrait, we might think about the ways in which it both reflects and reinforces societal norms around masculinity, intellect, and power. What does it mean to construct an identity through such visible symbols, and who had access to these forms of representation? This portrait invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between personal identity, social status, and cultural values.