Zelfportret van Pieter Christoffel Wonder 1802 - 1816

This is Pieter Christoffel Wonder’s self-portrait, an etching made sometime between 1780 and 1850. The composition, contained within a tight square frame, presents the artist from the chest up, caught in the act of drawing. The artist is sharply dressed and sharply focused. Note how Wonder’s formal attire, especially the hat, seems to impose a strict verticality to the overall image. This structural element underscores the nature of portraiture as a composed, deliberate act of self-representation. It’s as if Wonder seeks to control not only his image but also the very terms of its reception. His technique, dominated by dense, cross-hatched lines, creates a rich texture that adds depth and volume to the figure. We could see it as Wonder asserting his artistic agency, using line and form to define not just his likeness but also his identity as an artist.