Beeldhouwkunst 1647 - 1718

This engraving, titled "Beeldhouwkunst", was created by Nicolas Bonnart. The image strikes us with its contrasting elements, like the refined figure of the sculptor versus the rough texture of the stone she’s shaping. The composition is structured around a central figure, elegantly posed, actively engaged in the traditionally masculine act of sculpture. The sculptor is depicted with poise, yet the act of sculpting itself seems to challenge the conventional notions of femininity. The gaze drifts from the detailed folds of her dress to the fragmented head lying discarded on the floor, raising questions about perfection and the price of creation. Here, Bonnart creates a semiotic interplay between the artist, her medium, and the cultural codes of his time, inviting us to reconsider the boundaries of gender and artistic expression. It is a space where the formal elegance of the line meets the disruptive potential of art.