Portret van Georg Christoph Lichtenberg 1799 - 1833

This is Meno Haas’s portrait of Georg Christoph Lichtenberg. This delicate engraving offers a glimpse into the world of late 18th-century intellectual life. Lichtenberg, a prominent scientist and satirist, embodies the Enlightenment’s complex relationship with class and knowledge. Haas, working within a society that valued scientific progress, captures Lichtenberg in a way that reflects his intellectual status. Note how the clouds cradle him; lifting him up to the viewer. But the portrait also hints at the social hierarchies of the time, with Lichtenberg’s attire signaling his position within a very specific class structure. As a satirist, Lichtenberg himself was deeply aware of these structures, using his wit to critique the norms of his era. This portrait invites us to reflect on how knowledge, class, and identity intersect, shaping not only Lichtenberg’s life but also the broader societal landscape. It is a portrayal of a man, yes, but also a mirror reflecting the complex interplay of ideas and power that defined his time.