Portret van Paulus de Wind 1798

Reinier Vinkeles created this engraving of Paulus de Wind. Vinkeles lived through a revolutionary period, straddling the late Enlightenment and the rise of nationalism. This portrait gives us a glimpse into the visual culture of the late 18th century. De Wind's androgynous appearance, with his long hair and loosely tied scarf, challenges traditional gender norms of the time. It invites us to consider how identities were being negotiated and expressed through fashion and portraiture. In a society rigidly stratified by class, portraiture served as a tool for asserting social status. While the sitter's identity is not widely known today, his decision to commission this work suggests a desire for recognition and perhaps even social mobility. How does it make you feel to look at this person from so long ago? Ultimately, this engraving invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between individual identity, social expectations, and historical change.