Portret van Frans Schollaert 1897

Auguste Danse created this portrait of Frans Schollaert using etching and drypoint. The image is a study in the construction of authority and status through portraiture. Produced in Belgium around the turn of the 20th century, this piece reflects the conservative values of the time, particularly within the political elite. Schollaert, a prominent Catholic politician, is depicted wearing formal attire and several medals. These are visual cues which are communicating his power and commitment to the state. Institutional history plays a role here too, as the Rijksmuseum has chosen to display this portrait, thereby contributing to the ongoing construction of national identity. To fully understand a portrait like this, we turn to archives, biographies, and records of the period. In doing so, we can better appreciate how art is not simply a reflection of society, but an active participant in shaping it.