Self Portrait 1736 - 1782

This is a self-portrait by Anna Dorothea Lisiewska, an artist working in the 18th century. Lisiewska came from a family of artists and she navigated a professional world that was largely dominated by men. She was one of very few women who managed to establish themselves as successful portrait painters. In this piece, she presents herself with a direct gaze and a subtle smile, wearing a stylish hat and a dress that reveals a hint of décolletage. The portrait is interesting as it plays with gendered expectations. While she presents herself as feminine and elegant, the choice of clothing and the confident pose also suggest a degree of self-assuredness, typical of the male artists of the period. It is tempting to view Lisiewska’s portraits as a quiet yet firm declaration of her presence and skill in a world that wasn't always ready to accept women as professional artists.