Studieblad met hoofden 1895 - 1896

This is Felicien Rops’s ‘Studieblad met hoofden’. This print gives us a glimpse into the visual culture of the late 19th century. Rops was a Belgian artist known for his provocative and often satirical depictions of society. His art frequently challenged the norms of his time. He explored themes of eroticism, death, and the complexities of human nature. The figures in the image have been rendered in an unsettling style. They almost seem like ghostly figures, with some of the figures wearing hats and other adornments. This may represent an attempt to satirize the bourgeoisie through caricature. It could also be a comment on how people use clothing and accessories to construct and perform their identities. Rops’s work can be unsettling, but it also asks us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves and the world around us.