Portret van Josepha Tschida 1789

Adam von Bartsch created this portrait of Josepha Tschida, using etching techniques. Bartsch lived through a transformative period marked by the Enlightenment and the rise of revolutionary sentiments. Here, Tschida is presented in profile. The elaborate bonnet and dress situate her within a specific class. The portrait doesn't just show what she looked like, but also communicates something about her status and identity in society. Consider the limited roles afforded to women, especially those of a higher social class, during Bartsch's time. How did societal expectations shape their identities, and how are these expectations reflected here? Portraits like these offer a window into the lives and identities of individuals, while subtly reinforcing the social structures of their time. It makes you wonder about Josepha Tschida, and what her life was like.