Portret van generaal-majoor J.E. Wildeman 1867

This portrait of Major General J.E. Wildeman was made by Cornelis Sebille Roos, likely sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. It's a lithograph, a printmaking technique that democratized image production. Unlike older, more laborious methods like etching or engraving, lithography relies on the chemical repulsion between oil and water. The artist draws on a stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon, then applies ink that adheres only to the drawn areas. This printmaking technology allowed for relatively quick and inexpensive reproduction, making images like this accessible to a broader public. The lithographic process lends a soft, tonal quality to the image, capturing the details of Wildeman’s uniform and conveying a sense of his status. The relative ease of production also speaks to the changing social landscape of the time, where images of public figures circulated more widely, shaping public opinion and solidifying their place in history. Appreciating how this portrait was made gives us insight into its cultural significance and the world it represents.