Portret van een vrouw met een deels bedekt decolleté in een boudoir, mogelijk Catherine Bampfylde 1760 - 1811

Robert Dunkarton created this mezzotint portrait of a woman, possibly Catherine Bampfylde, sometime in the late 18th century. During this period, boudoir portraiture became a way to represent women from the upper classes. With its intimate setting and the sitter’s suggestive pose, the print offers a glimpse into the private lives of elite women, but also raises questions about the representation and objectification of women in art. The work presents a subject who, despite her wealth and status, is still confined by the male gaze and societal expectations. It offers a window into the complex negotiations of identity, class, and gender during this time. The woman’s averted gaze and partially covered body evoke a sense of vulnerability and introspection, inviting us to consider the emotional and psychological dimensions of her existence. It’s a charged moment, hinting at the tension between outward appearances and inner experiences.