Portret van Andr. Will. Pottum 1853

This is Wilhelmus Cornelis Chimaer van Oudendorp’s lithographic “Portret van Andr. Will. Pottum,” created sometime in the mid-19th century. The portrait depicts a distinguished gentleman in a coat, seated comfortably with a pipe, embodying the image of bourgeois respectability. What does it mean to be an upstanding citizen? This image may appear to uphold traditional values, but it also subtly challenges conventional narratives through the sitter's calm, assured gaze. Consider the power dynamics inherent in portraiture during this era. How does the artist negotiate the complexities of representing a subject while also navigating societal expectations? What does the act of portraying someone in a lithograph mean for ideas about authenticity, and the role of art in shaping social and cultural identities? This lithograph invites us to consider the intersections of identity, representation, and social norms in the 19th century.