Zelfportret van Egidius Linnig Possibly 1859

Egidius Linnig created this self-portrait in pencil around 1859. Linnig, a Belgian artist, captures himself with a gaze that seems both inward and direct. This was a time of burgeoning self-awareness in the art world. Artists began to question their roles and identities within a rapidly changing society. The rise of Romanticism emphasized individual emotion and experience, and the self-portrait became a way for artists to assert their unique perspectives. Belgium in the mid-19th century was experiencing its own cultural and political shifts. Having gained independence in 1830, there was a desire to establish a national identity, and artists were part of this project. The Rijksmuseum, where this drawing now resides, plays a role in shaping this narrative. To fully understand Linnig's work, we delve into the social and institutional context. What was the Belgian art scene like at the time? How did artists like Linnig navigate the expectations of the art market and the academy? These are the questions that social art historians explore.