Zwervend gezin op straat

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Zwervend gezin op (Wandering Family on the Street)** Created by Dutch artist Jacobus Ludovicus Cornet (1825–1882), this poignant lithography captures a wandering family amidst urban streets, likely evoking the hardships of 19th-century life in the Netherlands. Cornet, a skilled painter and printmaker, often depicted everyday scenes with a keen eye for human emotion, aligning with the Romantic era's interest in social realities and the plight of the marginalized. Produced during a time of industrialization and growing urban poverty, the work serves as a subtle commentary on societal challenges, inviting viewers to reflect on transience and resilience. Measuring 255 × 210 mm, this print exemplifies lithography's revolutionary technique—drawing directly on stone with greasy crayon for rich tonal variations and fine details unachievable in earlier methods like etching. Invented in the late 18th century, lithography democratized art, allowing affordable distribution of such evocative imagery to a wider audience. The verso bears a collector's mark (Lugt 2228), signaling its provenance from a esteemed European collection, underscoring its enduring value among connoisseurs. Step into this virtual gallery and imagine the family's quiet determination underfoot—Cornet's mastery turns a somber street scene into a timeless emblem of human endurance.

About the Artist

Jacobus Ludovicus Cornet · 1815–1882

Jacobus Ludovicus Cornet (1815–1882) was a Dutch painter, draughtsman, and museum curator whose career bridged artistic practice and cultural preservation. Born in Leiden in 1815, Cornet devoted his life to documenting Dutch history and culture through his paintings and drawings while simultaneously working to preserve the nation's artistic heritage as head of Leiden's Prentenkabinet (Prints Cabin...