Bust of an Old Woman c. 17th century

Editor: Here we have Cornelis Bega's "Bust of an Old Woman." I find the stark lines and shadowed profile quite striking. What can you tell me about its historical context? Curator: Bega, working in the Dutch Golden Age, presented everyday people, often the lower classes. How do you think this portrayal challenges or reinforces societal norms of the time? Editor: It seems to me it challenges the norms because art mostly depicted the upper class. Curator: Precisely. It's a fascinating intersection of art and social observation. Bega is giving visibility to a demographic rarely seen in portraiture. Editor: I hadn't considered the social commentary embedded in the work. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It’s about understanding whose stories get told and how art plays a role.