Portret van Philippine Charlotte von Braunschweig-Lüneburg 1762 - 1801

Meno Haas created this portrait of Philippine Charlotte von Braunschweig-Lüneburg using engraving techniques, a process that allowed for the wide distribution of her image. Haas, working in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, operated within a society deeply structured by class and gender. Philippine Charlotte, as a Duchess, occupied an elite position. These portraits reinforced the sitter’s status, and perpetuated the limited roles available to women, typically emphasizing lineage and decorum. Yet, portraiture also offered a space for individual expression. Consider the details: her powdered wig, the cut of her dress, and the fur stole. These elements reflect the fashion of the time, and signal wealth and status, yet the gaze seems direct, hinting at an inner life. Ultimately, this portrait raises questions about visibility, power, and the nuanced ways in which women navigated the constraints of their era.