Zelfportret van Marie Lambertine Coclers 1771 - 1815

This is a self-portrait by Marie Lambertine Coclers, made using black chalk. Coclers was born in 1761, a time when women artists, particularly those from privileged backgrounds, were beginning to assert themselves in the art world, challenging the male-dominated status quo. Here, Coclers depicts herself in a grand dress, holding a palette, a claim to her profession. What does it mean to see yourself? What does it mean to make an image of yourself? In this self-portrait, Coclers positions herself within the male-dominated world of art, asserting her presence and skill. In doing so, she subtly questions traditional gender roles, suggesting that women, too, could occupy positions of authority and creativity. This act of self-representation carries an emotional weight, it speaks to her ambition, her struggle for recognition, and her determination to leave her mark on a world that wasn't always welcoming.