Portret van Josephus Albertus Alberdingk Thijm 1887

This is Willem Steelink's portrait of Josephus Albertus Alberdingk Thijm, made with graphite, pen and brush in the Netherlands. Thijm, a prominent 19th-century intellectual, is framed within an oval border entwined with ivy. At the bottom, books and writing implements are arranged, signifying Thijm's literary pursuits. The institutional history behind this image is intriguing. Thijm was a staunch Roman Catholic in a predominantly Protestant society. His writings often challenged the prevailing cultural norms, advocating for Catholic emancipation and a revival of Catholic arts and letters. We might therefore consider this portrait in light of the social dynamics of the Netherlands at this time. Was it commissioned by a Catholic institution or group hoping to promote their cause? Or was it an attempt by Thijm himself to assert his presence in the Dutch cultural landscape? Art historians often rely on archival materials, letters, and other period documents to illuminate the social context surrounding an artwork, reminding us that meaning is contingent upon time and place.