Portret van François Fagel 1747

Pieter Tanjé created this print of François Fagel, a Dutch lawyer and statesman, using etching and engraving techniques. During the 18th century, portraiture served as a powerful tool for constructing and communicating social status and identity. Tanjé’s detailed rendering of Fagel surrounded by books speaks to enlightenment ideals, and the power of knowledge. But it also reinforces a very specific image of masculinity, deeply intertwined with class and intellectual prowess. Consider the visual cues: the elaborate wig, the fine clothing, and the setting within a private library. What narratives are being told? What statements are being made about who holds power and knowledge in society? While this print immortalizes an individual, it also holds a mirror to the values and structures of its time, inviting us to reflect on the narratives it perpetuates.