Portret van Rembrandt met hoge muts 1708 - 1779

This is Honoré Coussin's etching of Rembrandt with a high cap, made in the 18th century. But what does it mean to portray an artist from the past? During the 1700s, institutions like the French Royal Academy shaped artistic taste, emphasizing classical ideals. However, some artists looked to the Dutch Golden Age for inspiration, valuing its naturalism and focus on everyday life. Coussin's choice to depict Rembrandt, a master of this earlier era, reflects a growing interest in artistic styles beyond the prevailing academic norms. Was Coussin questioning the Academy's authority? To truly understand this etching, we might explore the writings of art critics from that period. By researching the artistic debates and institutional structures of 18th-century France, we gain insight into how artists like Coussin navigated the shifting landscape of artistic taste and challenged established norms.