Portret van Leonhard Euler 1776 - 1787

This is a print of Leonhard Euler by Nicolas Dupin, made in France sometime between 1753 and 1789. Euler was one of the most influential mathematicians of the 18th century. This print, with its formal inscription, underlines Euler's importance to the scientific academies of Europe. Academies played a key role in the advancement and validation of knowledge during the Enlightenment. The academies of Paris, London, Berlin and St. Petersburg are all namechecked here. Note the formal framing of the portrait and the orderly, rational lettering. The overall effect speaks to the Enlightenment values of reason, order, and the pursuit of knowledge. Understanding this image relies on knowing something about the history of science, the enlightenment and institutions of learning. Researching the archives of academies can give us a deeper understanding of this image and its context. We can better appreciate the social and institutional backdrop that shaped the production and reception of art and ideas in the 18th century.