Portret van Roger Bernard Picart, oud zes maanden 1703

This drawing of Roger Bernard Picart aged six months, was made in 1703 by Bernard Picart, using red chalk. In the Dutch Republic, this kind of family portraiture served as a visual marker of social standing, a tool used by the burgeoning middle class to assert their place in society. Picart’s intimate study of his own child’s features transcends mere documentation. It hints at the enlightened sensibilities that were gaining traction at the time. Portraits like this weren’t just about appearances. They reflected specific social roles and expectations and they spoke to the power of familial lineage. Artists were dependent on the patronage of the upper and middle classes. The art market was taking shape, and institutions like art academies and museums played an increasingly important role in shaping artistic tastes and legitimizing certain styles. To truly understand this drawing, one needs to examine its context: the social norms, the art market, and the institutions that shaped artistic production in the Dutch Republic. By delving into these sources, we reveal the intricate connections between art and society.