Portret van Jean-Jacques Rousseau 1791 - 1795

This is Pierre Michel Alix’s portrait of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, likely created around the late 18th century, using etching and aquatint. Rousseau, the Genevan philosopher whose ideas profoundly influenced the French Revolution, is depicted here within the conventions of portraiture of the time, framed by a formal oval and dressed in the attire of the bourgeoisie. Yet, considering his theories which emphasized the concept of the ‘noble savage’ and the corruption of society, the portrait seems to betray the very ideals Rousseau championed. As such, the portrait reveals tensions of the Enlightenment which struggled with concepts like natural rights, equality and individual freedom. Ultimately, this image serves as a fascinating intersection between philosophical ideals and the social realities of its time, suggesting that even those who seek to challenge societal norms are often bound by them.