Portret van Petrus Ramus 1760s

This is a portrait of Petrus Ramus, made by Jean-Charles François sometime in the 18th century using the burin technique. Ramus was a French humanist philosopher, logician, and educational reformer who lived during the 16th century. The image captures Ramus in profile, his gaze directed slightly upwards, perhaps symbolizing his intellectual pursuits. We see him here, immortalized through the artistry of François, at a time when the printing press was enabling the wide dissemination of knowledge. Consider how this image reflects the cultural and intellectual values of its time, where reason and knowledge were increasingly celebrated. Despite his intellectual contributions, Ramus was killed during the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, a dark chapter in French history marked by religious persecution. This portrait serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of ideological conflict and the enduring power of ideas. It evokes questions about the relationship between intellectual progress, religious tolerance, and social justice.