Johanne Sophie De Coninck 1748 - 1831

J.F. Clemens created this stipple engraving of Johanne Sophie De Coninck. It is an intimate portrait of a woman during a time when artistic representations often upheld rigid social hierarchies. Consider the gaze of the sitter. While the image seems traditional, there’s something quietly subversive in her direct and steady regard. Her eyes, unburdened by the coyness often expected of women in portraits of this era, suggest a self-awareness and strength that transcends the limitations of her time. It offers an alternative narrative of female identity. We might reflect on the untold stories of women like Johanne, who navigated the complexities of their era with resilience. The stipple engraving becomes more than just an image. It evokes a sense of connection to the past, and invites us to consider the individual complexities of identity beyond the limits of conventional representation.