"Philosophe du tems passé" 1783

Editor: This is "Philosophe du tems passé," an engraving from 1783 by F. Schürer, currently held at the SMK in Copenhagen. I find it so contemplative; the weight of the past seems to rest heavily on his brow. What historical currents do you see influencing this work? Curator: The title translates to “Philosopher of Times Past,” and this work, produced on the cusp of major social and political upheavals, engages directly with the late eighteenth-century preoccupation with history. Do you notice how the portrait itself is framed within an almost architectural border? Editor: Yes, it’s like a window or a monument! Curator: Precisely. This framing emphasizes the role of the artwork – and, by extension, art institutions like the SMK – in preserving and presenting history for public consumption. It’s a mediated view. This isn’t just a likeness; it’s a carefully constructed representation meant to evoke ideas about wisdom, age, and the importance of reflecting on the past during a period of immense change. What do you make of the deliberate use of engraving, a technique that harkens back to earlier periods? Editor: That’s interesting, the technique gives the image a timeless, almost archaeological feel! Almost like an object excavated from the past. Curator: Exactly! And by presenting him as a “philosopher of times past”, Schürer's engraving, rather cleverly, prompts the viewer to actively think about our own present in relationship to history, and even more so, its constant retelling. Editor: It's fascinating to consider how a seemingly simple portrait can be so deeply enmeshed in the politics of its time! Curator: Indeed. Examining the cultural and institutional contexts gives us so much information and a fresh perspective on the philosophy it sought to convey.