Portret van Anne-Marie du Boccage 1740 - 1780

Carl Gottfried Nestler produced this print of Anne-Marie du Boccage in the 18th century using etching and engraving. Beyond the elegant depiction of Madame du Boccage, the print offers insight into the societal values and the public role of women in intellectual circles of the time. Consider how the image creates meaning through visual codes and cultural references. The inscription ‘Forma Venus, arte Minerva’ associates Madame du Boccage with Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, and Minerva, the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. This association suggests that she possessed both physical attractiveness and intellectual prowess, qualities that were highly valued in women of her social standing during the Enlightenment. Furthermore, the existence of this engraved portrait speaks to the institutional structures of art and patronage. Prints like these circulated widely and played a crucial role in shaping public perceptions. As historians, we can delve into period writings, portraits, and institutional records to better understand the social conditions that shaped artistic production. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.