Zelfportret van Taco Scheltema 1770 - 1837

Taco Scheltema created this self-portrait drawing, rendered in reddish-brown chalk, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. Scheltema, who lived through a period of massive political upheaval, the Batavian Revolution in the Netherlands, offers us a glimpse into the life of a man of his time. The drawing presents Scheltema in a relaxed pose, leaning casually against a wall. He's wearing a long coat and breeches, attire denoting his middle-class status. The informality of the pose breaks with traditional, more rigid portraiture, offering a sense of approachability. But what does it mean to see oneself? How do we want to be seen? This self-portrait can be seen as an act of self-definition. The artist not only records his likeness but also asserts his identity, shaping his own narrative in a rapidly changing world. This drawing invites us to consider the complex interplay between self-perception and social identity.