Reproductie van een ets van een zelfportret van Carel van Savoyen before 1877

This etching by Joseph Maes reproduces a self-portrait of Carel van Savoyen. Created in the 19th century, the image looks back to the 17th century. Consider what it meant for a 19th-century artist to reproduce a 17th-century portrait. In the Netherlands at this time, there was a renewed interest in the Dutch Masters of the Golden Age. Artists looked to the past for inspiration, seeking to capture the spirit and skill of their predecessors. This etching, then, speaks to the art institution’s role in shaping cultural memory and artistic identity. Savoyen's likeness is carefully rendered, from his clothing to his hair. Etchings like this were often made for a growing art market and an increasingly broad public. They democratized access to art by making images more widely available. Understanding this work requires delving into the history of art institutions, printmaking, and the cultural values of 19th-century Netherlands. Researching these areas sheds light on the social context that shaped both the original self-portrait and this later reproduction.