Portret van George Buchanan 1741

Jacob Houbraken created this engraving, "Portret van George Buchanan," sometime in the 18th century. The portrait of the Scottish historian and humanist is framed by symbolic objects: a cherubic figure of inspiration, a harp, and books. These represent the institutions of learning and the classical ideals of Buchanan's time. Houbraken worked in the Netherlands during the Enlightenment, a period when printmaking flourished as a means of disseminating knowledge and celebrating intellectual figures. The Dutch Republic had a tradition of valuing scholarship, seen in its universities and the book trade. This portrait then is less about the individual likeness and more about the symbolic representation of Buchanan's contribution to intellectual life. The engraving’s visual language reflects the era’s values of reason and classical learning. As art historians, we can consult archives, libraries, and other collections to fully understand its role in the 18th-century print culture.