Silhouetportret van Ocker Repelaer van Driel 1782 - 1799

This silhouetted portrait of Ocker Repelaer van Driel was made in 1782 by an anonymous artist. During the late 18th century, silhouette portraits were a popular and affordable way to capture a person's likeness, reflecting a growing interest in individualism and identity among the middle classes. This work provides insight into the cultural values of the time. The French text surrounding the image suggests an emphasis on virtue, piety, and social harmony, while also acknowledging the disparities of wealth and status. "Love the good things of God, do not love them for themselves; Only think of its laws, because it is everything." The choice of silhouette as a medium also speaks to the era's fascination with shadow and light, absence and presence. Silhouettes reduce individuals to their most basic form, inviting the viewer to fill in the blanks and imagine the person beyond the image. Despite its simplicity, this artwork offers a glimpse into the complex interplay of social class, personal identity, and cultural ideals in 18th-century society.