Portret van Pieter Jacobus van Maanen

About this artwork

blad: hoogte 475 mm x breedte 410 mm

Art Historical Context

"Portret van Pieter Jacob van Maanen" is striking lithographic portrait created by Dutch artist Leonard de Koningh 1833 and 1845. Measuring 370 mm high by 305 mm wide on a larger sheet of 475 mm by 410 mm, this captures the likeness of Pieter Jacobus vananen, a prominent statesman and Minister of Justice in the early Kingdom of the Netherlands. De Koningh, active in the burgeoning field of printmaking, employs the precise lines and tonal subtleties characteristic of lithography to render a dignified, formal depiction suited to public commemoration. Lithography, a revolutionary technique invented in the late 18th century and peaking in popularity during the 1830s, allowed artists like de Koningh to produce affordable, high-quality reproductions from a single stone-drawn image. This medium democratized portraiture, making images of notable figures accessible beyond elite oil paintings. Produced amid the turbulent post-Napoleonic era, including the Belgian Revolution of 1830, the portrait reflects a cultural emphasis on honoring political leaders who shaped modern Dutch governance. As a window into 19th-century Dutch identity, this piece highlights the role of printmaking in preserving historical legacies, inviting us to ponder van Maanen's complex tenure amid national unification efforts. A testament to lithography's enduring appeal, it blends technical innovation with portrait tradition.