Portret van Jan van Waesberge

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

This wood engraving by Popko van Groningen (1832–1888) offers a finely detailed portrait of Jan van Waesberge. Created during the height of the nineteenth century, when wood engraving had become a preferred medium for precise reproduction in books and periodicals, the technique allowed artists to render subtle textures and expressions through intricate carving on the end grain of hardwood blocks. The modest scale—225 by 142 mm—suggests the print was well suited for private albums or illustrated publications of the period. The presence of collector’s mark Lugt 2228 further enriches its story, linking the sheet to a documented provenance and underscoring its appeal to later print connoisseurs. Though biographical details about both sitter and artist remain sparse, the work stands as a quiet testament to the enduring role of portraiture in preserving individual likenesses through the reproducible art of engraving.

About the Artist

Popko van Groningen · 1822–1888

Popko van Groningen (1822-1888) was a Dutch wood engraver, painter, and art collector who contributed to the revival of wood engraving in the Netherlands during the nineteenth century. Born on April 15, 1822, in Deventer and dying on November 1, 1888, also in Deventer, van Groningen represents the type of versatile provincial artist who worked across multiple media while also engaging in art colle...