Johann Bernhard Basedow houdt een lezing in het Philanthropinum te Dessau 1776

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki made this print, Johann Bernhard Basedow holds a lecture in the Philanthropinum in Dessau, using etching. This piece gives us a peek into the world of eighteenth-century education. Basedow was an influential figure in the Enlightenment, advocating for educational reforms that were radical for their time. Look at how Chodowiecki has arranged the figures. There’s Basedow, the lecturer, set apart at his desk. Then you have the students; notice that the students come from a range of social backgrounds. It suggests an attempt to break down class barriers in education, very much in line with Enlightenment ideals. The room itself, with its high ceilings and large windows, speaks to the era’s emphasis on reason and openness. But consider, too, who is missing from this picture. Where are the women? Where are the people of color? The absence speaks volumes about the limitations of the Enlightenment’s vision of equality. While it was progressive in many ways, it still fell short of true inclusivity.