Borstbeeld van een jonge vrouw, mogelijk Auguste-Louise-Therese Roland 1798

Philippe Laurent Roland created this plaster bust, likely of Auguste-Louise-Therese Roland, sometime during his career, which spanned the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Roland lived through the French Revolution, a time of immense social and political upheaval that challenged traditional class structures. The sculpture offers a glimpse into the representation of women during this period. While the bust adheres to the Neoclassical style, with its emphasis on idealized beauty and classical drapery, there's a softness in the subject's expression that hints at a more individualized portrayal. The identity of the sitter matters. If this is indeed Auguste-Louise-Therese Roland, we might consider the role of family and personal connection in artistic production. As a woman, her representation in sculpture would have been mediated by societal expectations. This piece invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between personal identity, artistic representation, and social context.