Zelfportret van Cornelis van Noorde 1765

Cornelis van Noorde created this self-portrait in 1765 using etching. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of an 18th-century Dutch artist. Van Noorde presents himself in his working environment, complete with an easel, canvas, and the tools of his trade. The image is rich in visual codes. The artist's attire and the orderly arrangement of his studio convey a sense of professional respectability. The presence of classical busts in the background hints at his artistic aspirations and the institutional standards of the time. Made in the Netherlands, this etching comes from a period of relative economic stability, but also growing social and political tensions. Self-portraits like this served to promote an artist's reputation, but also to comment on the role of the artist in society. They can be seen as a form of self-fashioning, where artists carefully construct an image that aligns with their artistic ambitions and social standing. By studying such artworks and their contexts, with period documents like guild records and exhibition catalogues, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, society, and individual expression.