Pierre Gassendi 

Jacques Lubin created this engraving of Pierre Gassendi sometime in the late 17th century. As a portrait, it reflects the social structures of its time, where likenesses of prominent figures were commissioned to assert their status and legacy. Gassendi, a philosopher and scientist, challenged traditional Aristotelian views and advocated for an atomistic understanding of the world. This portrait, though seemingly conventional, hints at a tension between the old and the new. It situates Gassendi within the visual language of established authority while subtly acknowledging his role as an intellectual rebel. Lubin, as the engraver, was also navigating a complex social landscape, dependent on patronage and recognition. The portrait becomes a site where identities, aspirations, and cultural shifts converge. It prompts us to consider the role of art in shaping historical narratives and negotiating individual and collective identities.