Portret van Nicolaas Christiaan Kist 1846

This is Johann Peter Berghaus's lithographic portrait of Nicolaas Christiaan Kist. Lithography, unlike painting or sculpture, is a printmaking process, and was particularly well-suited to capturing and disseminating images of public figures like Kist. The process begins with a smooth stone, on which the artist draws with a greasy crayon. The stone is then treated with a chemical solution so that ink adheres only to the drawn areas. When paper is pressed to the stone, the image transfers. Lithography democratized image-making, allowing for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction. This portrait, with its precise rendering of Kist's features and attire, speaks to the growing importance of visual representation in a rapidly modernizing world. The proliferation of printed images facilitated the construction of celebrity, and the circulation of ideas, fostering a sense of shared identity and culture. This portrait, therefore, is not just an image of an individual, but a reflection of broader social and technological transformations. Berghaus's choice of lithography highlights the intersection of art, industry, and the evolving dynamics of public life.