Portret van Lugné Poe 1874 - 1925

This is Jan Veth's pencil drawing of Lugné Poe, acquired by the Rijksmuseum. Veth was a Dutch artist, known for his portraits and his role as an art critic. Looking at it as a cultural object, this drawing reflects the social and artistic circles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The subject, Lugné Poe, was a key figure in the French theater, associated with the avant-garde and the symbolist movement. The choice of subject and the style of the portrait speak to the cultural values of the time. The late 19th century saw a growing interest in individual psychology, which is reflected in the intimate nature of the portrait. The Rijksmuseum's acquisition of this work tells a story about the development of art history as a discipline. Analyzing archival material, and the biographies of both artist and sitter, can provide more context to enrich our understanding of the drawing.