Portret van John Locke 1780

This is Gottlob August Liebe’s portrait of John Locke, made without a specified date and housed in the Rijksmuseum. It’s an engraving, likely intended for mass distribution given its presence on the cover of "Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz. Philosophische Werke." The piece invites reflection on Locke's profound impact on Enlightenment thought. Locke’s theories on government and individual rights were revolutionary, advocating for a social contract where governance is based on the consent of the governed. His ideas often served as the intellectual bedrock for movements challenging monarchical power. Liebe presents Locke in a classical style, which speaks to Locke's intellectual standing. It represents a specific kind of man, a learned man, one who presumably has the leisure time to philosophize. The portrait raises questions about who has historically been afforded the space and opportunity to shape philosophical discourse. Locke’s intellectual contributions were undeniably important. But it is equally important to consider whose voices were marginalized or excluded in the making of the canon.