Portret van Jacob Cornelis van Marken

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

This lithographic portrait by Leonard de Koningh, dated 1851, depicts Jacob Cornelis van Marken in a formal composition measuring 510 by 370 millimeters. Created during the height of lithography’s popularity in Europe, the work exemplifies the medium’s ability to produce finely detailed images through the chemical process of drawing on stone, enabling artists to achieve rich tonal contrasts and subtle textures that were both reproducible and affordable for wider audiences. As a print rather than a unique painting, the piece reflects the 19th-century shift toward democratic access to portraiture, often honoring notable figures in Dutch society. The presence of the collector’s mark Lugt 2228 further underscores its appeal to later connoisseurs, suggesting the work circulated among print collectors who valued both the technical precision of lithography and its historical subjects. De Koningh’s restrained approach highlights the sitter’s features with clarity, inviting viewers to consider how such portraits served as lasting visual records of individuals in an era of rapid social and industrial change.