Portret van Charles Guillaume Loys de Bochat 1759 - 1815

This is a portrait of Charles Guillaume Loys de Bochat, rendered by Heinrich Pfenninger in an etching. During the 18th century, portraits were more than mere representations; they were carefully constructed images reflecting social standing and identity. Bochat's powdered wig, high collared coat, and direct gaze speak to his status and the conventions of the time. Pfenninger, in turn, navigates the rigid expectations of portraiture, while subtly hinting at the individual beneath the surface. It is this tension, between the performance of identity and the search for individuality, that animates the work. The very act of commissioning and creating this portrait highlights the power dynamics inherent in representation, raising questions about who has the agency to define and immortalize whom. Portraits like these, therefore, serve as historical records and poignant reminders of the complex interplay between self-perception, social expectation, and artistic interpretation.