Hans Maes (Kent): Portraits of Philosophers and the Philosophy of Portraits
6th April 2017 – 4:00 pm, University of Edinburgh,
G.009, Richard Verney Health Centre
7 Bristo Square

Abstract
This paper presents a close analysis of Steve Pyke’s famous series of portraits of philosophers. By comparing his photographs to other well-known series of portraits and to other portraits of philosophers we will seek a better understanding of the distinctiveness and fittingness of Pyke’s project. With brief nods to Barthes, Baudrillard, Berger, Hegel, and Schopenhauer and an extensive critical investigation of Cynthia Freeland’s ideas on portraiture in general and her reading of Steve Pyke’s portraits in particular this paper will also aim to make a contribution to the philosophical debate on portraiture.