Portret van Elisabeth Füssli 1760

Johann Gottfried Haid created this print, “Portret van Elisabeth Füssli”, sometime in the 18th century. It encapsulates the cultural norms and the idealized representation of women during that era. The portrait commemorates Elisabeth Füssli, likely a member of Swiss or German society given Haid’s location and the text in German, and presents a complex interplay of virtue, beauty, and mourning. The cherubic figures, a common motif in memorial art, evoke a sense of heavenly grace and innocence, while the oval frame, adorned with symbolic objects like a cross and flowers, speaks to themes of faith and remembrance. The inscription, though partly illegible, appears to be a lament or tribute, highlighting her virtues and the sorrow of her loss. This piece reflects the limited roles afforded to women, often celebrated for their piety and purity, but also memorialized through the lens of male grief and societal expectations. “Portret van Elisabeth Füssli” invites us to reflect on the historical narratives that have shaped our understanding of gender, memory, and representation.