Mrs. Souch 1 - 1797

Francesco Bartolozzi created this stipple engraving, "Mrs. Souch," sometime in the late 18th century. Bartolozzi, an Italian artist working in London, was known for his printmaking that often reproduced historical portraits. The image presents a woman, Mrs. Souch, rendered in a style that evokes a Renaissance aesthetic. Her dress and headwear suggest a connection to the Tudor era, a period of significant social and political change in England. This deliberate historical referencing invites us to consider how women were represented and perceived across different eras. The gaze is direct, yet soft. What does it mean to look back at historical female figures through the lens of the 18th century? How do these representations shape our understanding of gender, identity, and power? The very act of reproduction raises questions about originality, authenticity, and the construction of historical narratives. It is a reminder that history is not a fixed entity, but rather a fluid and ever-evolving story shaped by those who tell it.