Portret van de vrouw van de kunstenaar Georg Friedrich Schmidt c. 1773 - 1840

Amalie Baader created this etching, "Portrait of the Artist's Wife, Georg Friedrich Schmidt" in the late 18th century. The image presents a profile view of a woman with elaborate, curly hair and simple clothing. Made in Germany, the print speaks to the growing role of women artists within academic circles. Baader, as the wife of a prominent engraver, occupied a unique position. The portrait suggests intimacy and domesticity, yet it also functions as a demonstration of Baader's skill. It was made during a period when women were gaining more access to artistic training, but were still largely excluded from the formal structures of the art world. Was this image displayed in an exhibition? Was it traded among artist circles? Or, was it simply a private, domestic representation? To fully understand this artwork, scholars would need to examine the social and institutional networks in which Baader operated and the economic realities that shaped her practice. Only then can we appreciate the nuances of this seemingly straightforward portrait.