Portret van Giovanni Domenico Cassini 1739

This is Nicolas Gabriel Dupuis's portrait of Giovanni Domenico Cassini, made as an engraving sometime in the mid-18th century. It portrays Cassini, the Italian-French astronomer and engineer who mapped the solar system. Made in France, this formal portrait reflects the cultural values of the Enlightenment, an era emphasizing reason and scientific inquiry. Cassini’s robe and wig mark him as an elite member of French society, while in the background, the architecture suggests a dedication to scientific knowledge. Cassini himself was director of the Paris Observatory and a member of the French Academy of Sciences, institutions supported by the French monarchy to reinforce its power. Portraits like these served to legitimize both the individual's status and the institutions they were part of. Understanding this artwork requires knowledge of the scientific revolution and the role of institutions in promoting scientific discovery. Researching the French Academy of Sciences, for example, will help to reveal the social context that shaped both the subject and production of the engraving.