Portret van een jonge vrouw 1746

Gerard Sanders created this delicate portrait of a young woman using chalk. Sanders was working in the 1700s, a time when portraits were markers of social status. Consider how the woman is presented here. Her clothing and hair are styled in a way that speaks to the trends of the upper class, reflecting the importance of appearance and social standing during this era. Yet, there’s also a sense of individuality, perhaps hinting at the emerging ideas of personal identity during the Enlightenment. It is worth reflecting on the power dynamics inherent in portraiture. Who gets to be seen and remembered? Whose stories are told and whose are left out? Sanders's portrait not only captures the likeness of a woman but also speaks to the complexities of gender, class, and representation in the 18th century. It invites us to reflect on the identities and histories of those both seen and unseen in the art of the time.