Portret van Arn. van Gennep

About this artwork

blad: hoogte 431 mm x breedte 333 mm

Art Historical Context

Behold the *Portret van Arn. vannep*, a finely executed lithograph by Johann Peter Berghaus, July 20, 1847. Berghaus, a prolific German-Dutch artist active in Amsterdam, specialized in portraiture during the mid-19th century, capturing the likenesses of notable figures with remarkable precision. This work depicts Arn. van Gennep, a contemporary individual of local significance, rendered in a detailed image measuring 360 mm high by 275 mm wide a larger sheet of 431 mm by 333 mm. Lithography, the medium here, revolutionized printmaking since its invention around 1800. By drawing directly on limestone with greasy crayon, artists like Berghaus could produce multiple high-quality impressions, making portraits accessible beyond elite commissions. In 1847, amid Europe's Romantic and Biedermeier eras, such prints democratized imagery, preserving personal and cultural identities for wider audiences. This piece exemplifies the technical virtuosity of lithography—subtle tonal gradations and lifelike textures—while reflecting the era's fascination with individuality. A window into 19th-century Dutch society, it invites us to ponder van Gennep's story through Berghaus's masterful gaze.