Selinde in de rechtszaal 1775

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created the engraving, "Selinde in de rechtszaal," whose date remains unconfirmed. The work is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. This piece offers us a window into the social dynamics of 18th-century life. The image presents a courtroom scene, where Selinde, presumably on trial, stands before a panel of judges. The male gaze is palpable; the men, wigs and robes denoting their status, scrutinize her. Chodowiecki uses the courtroom to explore themes of female representation and judgement. Who was Selinde? Was she a real person? The script below the image suggests the impossibility of capturing her essence through painting, implying a depth that resists representation. The inscription, which translates to “No painter could paint you more faithfully, you should pay him to not depict you”, points to the complex relationship between the model, the male gaze, and artistic representation. It hints at the power dynamics inherent in the act of portraiture and the ways in which women were often objectified and judged by societal standards.