Schilderkunst 1647 - 1718

Editor: Here we have "Schilderkunst," or "The Art of Painting," an engraving created between 1647 and 1718 by Nicolas Bonnart. It has such a formal and stylized feeling, very proper, like a scene in a play. How do you interpret this work, seeing this painter in her environment? Curator: This engraving whispers of performance, doesn’t it? Notice how "La Peinture," Painting herself, is staged – her elaborate dress, her elegant pose, and the very self-aware gaze. She embodies an idealized notion of artistry. Consider: What is Bonnart trying to convey about the role of art, of painting, in society? Editor: That it’s a very refined pursuit? Almost theatrical? Curator: Precisely! Think about the societal expectations of women, especially those engaging in intellectual pursuits, at that time. She’s not just an artist; she’s representing art itself. Bonnart uses her figure as an allegory, a symbol of artistic practice. It carries cultural weight, asserting painting’s status, its "place" in a social hierarchy. She's carefully balancing talent with expected feminine virtue. The imagery also evokes the psychological aspect of painting - creating a memory that may be revealed by successive generations of patrons and critics. Editor: So it's not necessarily a straightforward depiction of a female painter, but a carefully constructed statement about the position of art? Curator: Exactly. Every element, from her clothing to her tools, serves a symbolic purpose. Bonnart's cultural memory is being showcased. Editor: This has been eye-opening; I had a very literal reading before! It’s amazing how much historical and symbolic information can be packed into an image. Curator: Indeed. Looking through this lens reveals the deeper narratives that these works are embedded in and reveal through careful and continuous study.