Portret van James John Teding van Berkhout c. 1851 - 1880

This lithograph portrays James John Teding van Berkhout, and was made by Johan Hendrik Hoffmeister in the Netherlands at an unknown date. Hoffmeister’s choice of lithography, a relatively new and affordable medium at the time, suggests an intention to make portraiture more accessible. Looking at the image, the confident stance and meticulously rendered clothing signal van Berkhout’s status and wealth. The lack of specific dating underscores a broader trend in 19th-century portraiture, where the emphasis was on capturing a timeless image of bourgeois respectability. The institutions of art were beginning to reflect new social norms. Understanding this work fully requires delving into the social and economic structures of the Netherlands during this period. Archival records, genealogical research, and studies of Dutch fashion and social customs will help you gain a deeper understanding of this print and the world it reflects. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.