Zelfportret 1747

This is a mezzotint self-portrait by Nathaniel Hone, made sometime in the 18th century. Hone lived in a time when artists sought to elevate their social status through their work. Here, Hone presents himself with the accoutrements of a gentleman: a fur hat and a velvet coat, each suggesting a life of comfort and status. This was a deliberate act, given that artists were often seen as mere tradesmen. The gaze is direct, a challenge perhaps, or an invitation. It's hard to tell which without knowing Hone's intentions. This image complicates traditional portraiture, not just because it is made by the artist himself, but because it is also a statement of self-fashioning. It speaks volumes about the artist's desire for recognition and his awareness of how artists were viewed in the social hierarchy of the time. It allows us to reflect on how identity is not just what we are, but what we aspire to be.