Vier portretten van kunstenaar Rafaël c. 1760 - 1770

Michael Wachsmuth created this print, "Vier portretten van kunstenaar Rafaël," presenting four imagined portraits of the artist Raphael. The portraits, all of a similar androgynous figure, share soft features and long flowing hair. The figures are numbered and presented in oval frames, their faces angled to provide a dynamic perspective. The figure in the lower right is notably distinct, their shoulders are shown and they seem to be wearing a lace collar. The figures appear both masculine and feminine, blurring the lines of gender identity. Prints like this one circulated widely, shaping perceptions and constructing narratives around notable figures like Raphael. Wachsmuth engages in the construction of Raphael’s identity, inviting viewers to consider the multifaceted nature of artistic persona. The emotional depth of this print lies in its ability to both celebrate and question the nature of identity.