Perspectiefoefeningen 1816 - 1852

Jonkvrouw Elisabeth Kemper created this drawing, "Perspectiefoefeningen," sometime in the first half of the 19th century. Kemper, a woman of noble birth, lived during a time of significant social change and upheaval in Europe. As a woman artist, Kemper navigated a world where artistic expression was often a male domain. This work, with its precise lines and geometric forms, reflects the academic exercises typical of artistic training. Yet, the inclusion of objects like the vase suggests a personal engagement with the subject matter. In the 19th century, artistic skill was often seen as a marker of social standing and education. Kemper’s drawing, therefore, can be viewed as both an artistic exploration and a statement of her identity as a cultured woman within a specific social class. It speaks to the complex ways in which gender, class, and artistic expression intersected during this period.