Portret met nieuwjaarswens van Jan Campert 1806 - 1835

Hendrik Marcus Schouten created this print, titled "Portret met nieuwjaarswens van Jan Campert", sometime around the late 18th or early 19th century. It depicts a figure carrying a basket, presumably delivering a New Year's greeting, a tradition deeply embedded in Dutch culture. The print provides us with a glimpse into the social fabric of the Netherlands at that time. The inscription suggests a personal touch, perhaps a commission or a gift, reflecting the close-knit communities and local customs of the era. The figure's attire and the simple composition hint at the everyday lives of ordinary people, far removed from the grand narratives of the Dutch Golden Age. To fully understand this print, we might delve into historical archives, exploring records of local traditions, social hierarchies, and the lives of figures like Jan Campert. Such research would illuminate the print's meaning within its specific social and institutional context, revealing the values and beliefs that shaped its creation and reception.