Lezende man met vergrootglas 1720 - 1776

Johann Gottfried Haid created this print, “Lezende man met vergrootglas”, that is, "Reading man with magnifying glass", in the eighteenth century. The image is an intimate portrayal of an intellectual act: a man engrossed in reading, aided by a magnifying glass. Prints like this one were central to the Enlightenment. They facilitated the spread of knowledge and ideas to a wider public. The man's beret and simple attire suggest a scholar or member of the bourgeoisie, reflecting a shift towards valuing learning outside the traditional aristocratic circles. The printing press itself, and institutions like libraries, were products of —and promoted— this cultural shift. To fully understand this image, we need to delve into the history of printmaking, the rise of the Enlightenment, and the changing social structures of eighteenth-century Europe. Researching the artist, the original painting on which it was based and the print's intended audience can reveal a wealth of information about its meaning and impact.