Portret van Oopjen Coppit 1841 - 1879

This is Léopold Flameng’s “Portret van Oopjen Coppit”, made during a time when the traditional roles of women in society were being both reinforced and challenged. Here, Coppit is depicted with the symbols of wealth and status, in what seems like a traditional representation. However, portraits of women during this time often served as more than just likenesses. They were strategic tools used to convey social standing and family alliances within the patriarchal structures of the 17th century. Flameng’s choice to portray Coppit revives these historical visual tropes, reflecting on the evolving yet persistent role of women and their representation in art and society. The emotional nuances of Coppit's character—her poise, and perhaps a hint of defiance—invite us to consider her individual experience within these societal expectations. The print becomes a lens through which we examine the interplay between personal identity, social expectation, and artistic representation across time.