Hoofd van Christus c. 1858

Bastiaan de Poorter made this drawing, Head of Christ, in the Netherlands, likely sometime in the mid-19th century. The image is a study of the face of Jesus Christ rendered in a soft, delicate style. During this period, images of Christ were incredibly popular in both religious and secular contexts. They served as symbols of faith, morality, and cultural identity. De Poorter’s drawing, with its focus on emotional expression, aligns with the Romantic movement’s emphasis on feeling and subjectivity. Consider the cultural and institutional forces at play. The rise of museums like the Rijksmuseum, where this drawing now resides, contributed to a growing interest in religious art and its role in shaping national identity. To truly understand this work, we might delve into the religious and artistic climate of the Netherlands during the 19th century, exploring the relationship between art, faith, and social values.