Schilder zittend op een stoel achter zijn ezel 1784

Robert Brichet created this print of a painter seated at his easel sometime between 1750 and 1850. The image is titled "Le Peintre," or "The Painter," in French. The print offers a glimpse into the world of artistic production during a time when art academies were solidifying their influence. Look closely, and you'll notice the artist's attire, the tools of his trade, and the subject of his painting; each aspect reflecting the social status and cultural values of the time. The artist appears somewhat disheveled, in contrast to the idealized images often produced at the time. This perhaps, offers a commentary on the artist's own position within the art world. Consider how Brichet, as an artist himself, might be using this image to reflect on the role of the artist in society, and perhaps also to question or subvert some of the prevailing norms of artistic representation. What does it mean to depict an artist who is both creator and subject, both in control and perhaps also a little vulnerable?