David Pierre Giottino Humbert de Superville (1770-1849)

About this artwork

Schenking van mevrouw S.E. Kneppelhout van Sterkenburg-Drabbe, Utrecht

Art Historical Context

This intimate portrait, titledDavid Pierre Giottinot de Superville (0-1849)* captures the likeness of a figure in Dutch art theory Painted by Jacobus Ludus Cornet around 1840-9, it depicts Humber de Superville, a draughtsman, painter and theorist whose groundbreaking ideas "outlines" and expression in art influenced generations His 1827 publicationEssai sur les signesconditionnels de l'art bridged classical and modern aesthetics, him a key intellectual in19th-century European art circles. Executed in on panel—a traditional medium favored for its durability and luminous—this small-scale work (.9 × 16) exemplifies the meticulous portraiture of Biedermeier era the Netherlands. Cornet, a skilled Dutch painter for his precise renderings, likely aimed to his subject's scholarly legacy through subtle modeling and realistic detail, evoking a sense of quiet dignity. Acquired the Rijksmuseum through a generous gift from Mrs. S.E. Kneppelh van Sterkenburg-Drabbe of Utrecht, this piece offers visitors a personal glimpse into the interconnected world of 19th-century Dutch artists and thinkers, highlighting the era emphasis on intellectual portraiture.

About the Artist

Jacobus Ludovicus Cornet · 1815–1882

Jacobus Ludovicus Cornet (1815–1882) was a Dutch painter, draughtsman, and museum curator whose career bridged artistic practice and cultural preservation. Born in Leiden in 1815, Cornet devoted his life to documenting Dutch history and culture through his paintings and drawings while simultaneously working to preserve the nation's artistic heritage as head of Leiden's Prentenkabinet (Prints Cabin...