Portret van mevrouw Van Marrelen-Dufour c. 1851 - 1883

This is a portrait of Mrs. Van Marrelen-Dufour, made by Johan Hendrik Hoffmeister. The work is a print, likely an engraving or etching, created through an intensive, skilled, and highly controlled process. The delicate lines that define Mrs. Van Marrelen-Dufour’s features, her dress, and the intricate lace, are all products of laborious work. These lines were incised into a metal plate, which was then inked and pressed onto paper. The inherent qualities of the metal – its hardness, its ability to hold a fine line – dictate the image’s graphic precision. Hoffmeister’s control over the medium is obvious, reflecting years of training and practice. Consider the social context of this portrait. It speaks to the rise of a middle class eager to emulate the aristocracy. The skilled labor involved in creating such a print was a commodity, purchased by those who sought to memorialize their status and likeness. In this way, the artwork encapsulates both artistic skill and the burgeoning culture of consumption in 19th-century Europe. This reminds us of the degree to which art is shaped by material conditions and social forces.