Buste van een vrouw, in profiel 1734 - 1801

Jacobus Buys created this profile of a woman using pen and brown ink with brush in grey. Buys was working during the Enlightenment, a period when reason and individualism were emphasized. The woman’s gaze is directed away, her expression caught in a moment of introspection. Portraits during this period were often reserved for the elite. It is interesting to consider who this woman might have been and her place in 18th century Dutch society. Is she a member of the bourgeoisie, or does she belong to another class entirely? The soft cap she wears and the simplicity of her dress suggests a departure from the elaborate fashions often depicted in portraits of the time. Buys seems to be questioning traditional representations. This artwork provides a glimpse into the life of a woman whose story may otherwise have been lost to history. It invites us to reflect on the experiences and identities of women throughout time.