Portret van Salomon Leonardus Verveer 1836 - 1863

Elchanon Verveer made this portrait of Salomon Leonardus Verveer, using graphite, around the mid-19th century. It captures the artist at work in his studio, pipe in mouth and paintbrush in hand. This image offers us insight into the artistic profession and the social standing of artists in the Netherlands at that time. The elder Verveer was a successful painter of genre scenes, and portraits like this could be a demonstration of one’s cultural sophistication. The prevalence of art academies and institutions further shaped artistic training and styles. Artists were increasingly part of a professional network, exhibiting works in salons and galleries. The image also subtly promotes the status of the profession. To understand the painting better, researchers might explore exhibition records, artist biographies, and social histories of the Netherlands during this period. These resources would shed light on the institutional and cultural context that shaped Verveer's work.