Portret van de dichter en predikant Jan Jacob Lodewijk ten Kate

About this artwork

Prent ook gebruikt in: Kate, J.J.L. ten. De Schepping. Utrecht, 1866.

Art Historical Context

This 1866 steel engraving by Edouard Taurel presents a formal portrait of Jan Jacob Lodewijk ten Kate, the Dutch poet and preacher whose writings blended religious devotion with lyrical verse. Rendered with the precise lines characteristic of steel engraving—a medium prized in the nineteenth century for its durability and ability to produce fine detail—the print served as a frontispiece or illustration in Ten Kate’s volume *De Schepping* (The Creation), published in Utrecht that same year. The choice of medium reflects the era’s growing demand for accessible, high-quality reproductions that could accompany literary works, allowing readers to connect visually with the author. At 290 by 202 millimeters, the engraving balances intimacy and dignity, capturing Ten Kate’s likeness for an audience interested in both his spiritual message and poetic voice. As both artwork and book illustration, the print underscores the close relationship between literature and visual culture in mid-nineteenth-century Netherlands, preserving the image of a prominent cultural figure whose work resonated widely in religious and literary circles.

About the Artist

Edouard Taurel · 1824–1892

Charles Edouard Taurel (1824–1892) was a Dutch engraver and illustrator whose career exemplified the continued vitality of steel engraving and etching in the Netherlands during the nineteenth century. Working primarily in Amsterdam, Taurel specialized in portrait engravings of Dutch historical figures and topographical views of Amsterdam and its surroundings. His work served both commemorative fun...