Portret van Anne Fortescue 1755 - 1790

James Watson created this mezzotint engraving of Anne Fortescue in the late 18th century. It was a time when societal expectations for women were very narrowly defined, often emphasizing beauty, domesticity, and virtue. Anne is portrayed in a way that reflects the conventions of her time. She embodies an ideal of femininity that was meant to uphold a certain social order, yet, there is a nuance to how she engages with the viewer. Her gaze, directed slightly off-center, lends an air of introspection, hinting at the complexities of individual identity within the confines of societal expectations. The softness of the engraving medium captures the delicate balance between public presentation and private self. Portraits of women, like this one, offer us a glimpse into the negotiations women had to make, in order to navigate their roles in a patriarchal society. What does it mean to be seen, and who has the power to define that vision?