Portret van Johann Georg Friedrich Pabst 1791

Christoph-Wilhelm Bock produced this portrait of Johann Georg Friedrich Pabst as an engraving. Made in the late 18th century, this print offers a window into the world of medicine and science, and how they were represented through the institutions of art. The use of engraving, a precise and reproducible medium, reflects the Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason, observation, and the dissemination of knowledge. Pabst is depicted in profile, a classical pose that conveys both status and intellectual rigor. His powdered wig and formal attire signal his social standing and professional identity. The inscription identifies Pabst as a doctor, highlighting the growing importance of scientific expertise in society. The image was drawn and engraved by artists, whose names are also inscribed, implying the division of labor and professional networks through which knowledge was spread. Studying such artworks in the context of their time through archival research, scientific publications, and social histories helps us to understand how images like this one played a role in shaping perceptions of science and medicine in the public sphere.