Die Heroen der Naturwissenschaft 1863

"Die Heroen der Naturwissenschaft," or "The Heroes of Natural Science," is an undated engraving by Wilhelm von Kaulbach that commemorates figures of the scientific revolution. Notice how it depicts a group of exclusively male scientists. Kaulbach's representation speaks to the historical exclusion of women and other marginalized groups from scientific fields. The composition reinforces the notion of science as a domain dominated by European men, subtly shaping perceptions of who can be a "hero" of science. The choice to depict these figures as "heroes" also tells us something about how nineteenth-century society valued scientific achievement, and the ways in which these achievements are implicitly tied to notions of progress. It invites us to reflect on whose stories are told and whose contributions are recognized within the history of science, reminding us of the power dynamics at play in shaping our understanding of knowledge and discovery.