Portret van Jan Tersteegh 1780 - 1829

Hendrik Willem Caspari made this portrait of Jan Tersteegh using brush in gray ink and pencil. The application of ink and pencil is quite economic, with a clear focus on shape and line, and this gives us some insight into its social context. The portrait sketch was popular because it was a relatively quick and affordable way to produce a likeness, making it more accessible to a broader segment of society than traditional, elaborate painted portraits. The thin paper support and the swift application of the media speak to the efficiency and reproducibility that characterized the rise of a commercial art market. This emerging system allowed artists to produce works more rapidly and for a wider audience, democratizing portraiture even as it reflected the increasing commodification of art in society. Ultimately, this drawing reminds us that artistic practices are always entwined with the economic and social conditions of their time.