Portret van minister Cornelis Felix van Maanen

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

This portrait by Carel Frederik Curtenius Bentinck depicts Cornelis Felix van Maanen, a prominent Dutch minister, in a format that reflects the formal conventions of early nineteenth-century European portraiture. Created sometime between 1824 and 1849 on paper measuring 537 by 355 millimeters, the work likely served as a study or finished drawing intended for private or official commemoration rather than large-scale public display. The choice of paper as a medium allowed for precise line work and subtle tonal effects, techniques well suited to capturing the dignified presence of political figures during the post-Napoleonic era in the Netherlands. The collector’s mark Lugt 2228 further attests to the drawing’s passage through distinguished hands, underscoring its enduring appeal to connoisseurs interested in Dutch political and artistic history. Visitors can appreciate how such works on paper offer an accessible window into both individual character and the broader cultural emphasis on civic leadership in the 1800s.