Portret van Jan van der Hoeven 1822 - 1842

Wilhelmus van Groenewoud made this portrait of Jan van der Hoeven, using lithography. Here we see a typical 19th-century convention, the depiction of an academic or notable figure. The image is not just a likeness; it conveys van der Hoeven's social standing through dress and pose. Lithography, as a relatively new and affordable medium, democratized image production, making portraits accessible to a broader public beyond the elite who could afford painted portraits. Made in the Netherlands, this work reflects the cultural value placed on intellectualism and civic leadership. The Rijksmuseum, as a national institution, plays a role in shaping historical narratives and celebrating Dutch identity. To fully understand this portrait, a historian would need to delve into the biographies of both the sitter and the artist, consult period publications, and consider the institutional framework that supported artistic production. Art gains its full meaning through this understanding of social and institutional context.