Johanne Sophie de Coninck 1805 - 1806

Curator: This is an engraving of Johanne Sophie de Coninck, made sometime between 1805 and 1806 by J.F. Clemens. Editor: The delicate lines give her an ethereal quality. Almost dreamlike, like a memory pressed onto paper. Curator: Indeed. As a portrait, it follows the conventions of Neoclassicism that were popular at the time—note the oval frame and simplified background. However, this engraving presents more than just the aesthetic taste of the period. It offers insight into the societal structures, since the Conincks were very powerful. Editor: The clothing and headscarf she is wearing suggest a particular moment in time. And beyond fashion, those emblems indicate something of her social standing. Her modest garb may project virtuousness, certainly her family valued such imagery of themselves. Curator: Absolutely. Furthermore, the printed inscription below the portrait in some ways extends her persona for posterity. It adds context but at the same time subtly controls the viewer's interpretation of her. Editor: Engravings like this served as powerful status symbols but beyond its primary intention, the symbol of "the mother" comes into my mind. If this picture hangs in their parlor, visitors were faced with an image, of course, of status but also, importantly of domestic caretaking. Curator: The placement of such pieces within the domestic sphere definitely played a vital role in shaping how the Conincks wanted to be perceived by visitors, subtly conveying power but also their values to all those who frequented the Coninck residence. It demonstrates an astute understanding of how images shape social and political influence. Editor: It also gives pause to wonder what happened to her likeness between then and now. The preservation of a relatively fragile artifact, such as this, reveals the long endurance of symbolic significance. Curator: Exactly. The survival of this print underscores the complex relationship between personal identity and broader social narratives, demonstrating how individuals become enmeshed in history. Editor: So it becomes both an individual portrayal and also part of a family history to be reckoned with today.