Artwork
Self-portrait with Monocle
Self-portrait with Monocle is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Anna Dorothea Therbusch. It is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Anna Dorothea Therbusch’s *Self‑portrait with Monocle* (1788) is an oil painting that presents the artist seated in an upholstered fauteuil. She gazes directly at the viewer, dressed in a white gown with a delicate veil, a monocle resting on her forehead, and a book resting in her lap alongside a pair of gloves. The composition is set against a dark backdrop that isolates the figure.
Subject & Meaning
The formal pose and serious expression suggest a deliberate self‑presentation that aligns with the Enlightenment ideals of rationality and refined taste.
The work functions as a personal statement, portraying Therbusch as an educated and cultured woman. By holding a book and displaying a monocle—symbols of scholarly pursuit—she emphasizes her intellectual credentials alongside her artistic identity. The formal pose and serious expression suggest a deliberate self‑presentation that aligns with the Enlightenment ideals of rationality and refined taste.
Technique & Style
Therbusch employs chiaroscuro to model the figure, using strong contrasts between the illuminated white dress and the deep shadows of the background. This handling creates a three‑dimensional presence and draws attention to the textures of fabric, veil, and accessories. The brushwork remains smooth and controlled, reflecting the Rococo tradition’s elegance while hinting at the emerging neoclassical restraint of the late eighteenth century.
History & Provenance
Completed in 1788, the portrait entered the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to representing female artists of the German Enlightenment, and it stands as one of the few surviving self‑portraits by Therbusch, offering insight into her self‑image and professional aspirations.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Anna Dorothea Therbusch (born Anna Dorothea Lisiewski, Polish: Anna Dorota Lisiewska, 23 July 1721 – 9 November 1782) was a prominent Rococo painter born in the Kingdom of Prussia.
