Studieblad met hoofden 1756 - 1817

Louis Bernard Coclers made this study sheet with heads using etching techniques, sometime in the 18th century. As we consider these heads, let’s think about the gaze. Is it internal? Is it confrontational? What do you read in the faces? During Coclers' time, the Enlightenment was encouraging new ways of thinking about the individual, moving away from solely religious or aristocratic depictions. Artists began to explore a wider range of human experiences. Here, Coclers seems interested in the human character, creating a study of two people who appear to be from the working class. The man’s weathered face and simple cap, along with the woman's modest attire, speak to a different social reality than the opulent portraits of the era. These depictions offer alternative narratives. The images are compelling not just for what they show, but for what they suggest about the value and visibility of everyday lives.