Alexander von Humboldt c. 19th century

Editor: So, this is Robert Trossin's portrait of Alexander von Humboldt. It's a lovely lithograph, very detailed, but also feels distant. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: This image, like many of Humboldt, presents a figure of authority, a man of science. Yet, I find myself questioning the power dynamics inherent in representation. Who is allowed to be seen, and how? Consider Humboldt's own work, his impact on colonial science, and how his explorations shaped understandings of race and nature. This image then becomes a site of contested meaning. Editor: That’s a great point! Thanks for the new perspective. Curator: Indeed. Images like these are never neutral; they reflect and reinforce societal structures and power.