Portret van een onbekende man, mogelijk E. Jaules 1840 - 1853

Frederik Charles Theodorus Deeleman created this portrait of an unknown man, possibly E. Jaules, with engraving. It is undated. This type of portraiture was common in 19th century Netherlands for the middle class. The engraving is a fascinating example of how institutions shape artistic production. Consider the rise of printmaking, and the way it democratized image production. Unlike painting, engraving allowed for the mass production of images, making them accessible to a wider audience. The sitter's clothing and hairstyle reflect middle-class tastes, and a desire for respectability. As historians, we must examine the social conditions that made this kind of artwork possible. By looking at archival sources, newspapers, and other period documents, we can better understand the role of art in 19th-century Dutch society. The meaning of this portrait is contingent on its social and institutional context.