When does the event take place?

The lecture takes place on Sunday, November 1, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where is the lecture held?

The venue is the Auditorium of the University of Göttingen at Weender Landstraße 2 in Göttingen.

What is the focus of Natural and Affected Actions of Life?

The focus is on Daniel Chodowiecki's graphic series for the Göttingen Pocket Calendar. The lecture examines the representation of natural and affected behaviors in social life.

Who is giving the lecture?

The lecture will be given by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Sinapius M.A.

Is registration required?

According to the event calendar, no registration is required for the event.

How long does the event last?

The lecture lasts about one hour, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Chodowiecki in the Göttingen Auditorium 2026

Name: Natural and Affected Actions of Life
Start: 2026-11-01T11:30:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-01T12:30:00+01:00
Location: Auditorium der Universität Göttingen

When Attitude Becomes Art: Chodowiecki in the Göttingen Auditorium

On November 1, 2026, a fascinating window into the imagery of the Enlightenment opens in the Auditorium of the University of Göttingen. The lecture Natural and Affected Actions of Life is dedicated to Daniel Chodowiecki's graphic series, which skillfully stages bourgeois behavior, social roles, and human gestures with a keen sense of observation.

A Work Between Everyday Life and Stage

In 1779, Georg Christoph Lichtenberg, editor of the Göttingen Pocket Calendar, prompted the Berlin artist Daniel Chodowiecki to design monthly illustrations under the title Nature and Affectedness in Various Appearances of Human Life. The series contrasts different forms of human appearance: the seemingly immediate, natural behavior and the consciously adopted, affected gesture.

It is precisely in this that the dramatic power of the works lies. Each stance acts like a brief performance, each movement like a moment from a social theater. Chodowiecki not only observes people, he brings their social roles into view. Between body posture, gaze, and clothing, a precise panorama of life at the end of the 18th century is created.

Daniel Chodowiecki as an Observer of Social Life

The graphic series belongs within the art historical context of the Enlightenment and combines visual storytelling with moral and social reflection. Chodowiecki translates everyday situations into clearly readable scenes. The audience recognizes courtly conventions, bourgeois self-images, and the subtle transitions between sincerity and staging.

The lecture will present the sheet for the year 1780 from the graphic collection of the University of Göttingen. At the center is not only a historical artwork but also the question of how people present themselves, how they are perceived, and what role naturalness plays in a society shaped by rules.

Art History as a Lively Stage Experience

The theater atmosphere arises here not through actors or sets, but through the internal movement of the images. Gestures become action, compositions become stage designs, and figures become performers of a social drama. The meticulous line work of the print graphics offers a concentrated view of facial expressions, costumes, and social choreographies.

The work will be presented by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Sinapius M.A. as part of the series Artwork of the Month of the art collection of the University of Göttingen. This one-hour lecture combines art historical expertise with a vivid encounter with a central example from the Chodowiecki exhibition Enlightened! 300 Years of Chodowiecki.

A Morning for Curious Eyes

The event is aimed at all who wish to explore art history, print graphics, and the culture of the Enlightenment up close. Instead of a rapid flood of images, visitors can expect a focused visual experience: a single artwork that unfolds slowly and makes its social layers visible.

Conclusion: Natural and Affected Actions of Life invites a special encounter with Daniel Chodowiecki and the art collection of the University of Göttingen. Those who want to experience how a historical graphic transforms into a multifaceted drama of human behaviors will find an inspiring place for discovery, conversation, and new perspectives in the auditorium.