Die Schauspielerin Franziska Romana Koch als Alkeste c. 1775 - 1779

Georg Melchior Kraus rendered this ink drawing of the actress Franziska Romana Koch in character as Alkeste. Koch, who lived from 1748 to 1796, gained prominence in the theatrical world of 18th century Germany, a period when women were beginning to achieve recognition on stage, albeit within a male-dominated industry. Here, Koch embodies Alkeste, the mythological queen who sacrifices herself for her husband. Note the actress's posture, caught between a staged lament and the constraints placed on women's expressions of emotion. The play becomes a site to explore gender roles and expectations, both within the narrative of Alkeste and the real-life context of Koch's profession. This image asks us to reflect on the ways in which women navigate public and private spheres, then and now. It captures a moment of performance but also hints at the personal negotiations inherent in a woman portraying such intense vulnerability on stage.