Portret van Aeschinus Saagmans Mulder 1822 - 1842

Wilhelmus van Groenewoud created this portrait of Aeschinus Saagmans Mulder with graphite and brush in the Netherlands. The work provides insight into the cultural values of the Dutch middle class during the 19th century. The subject is depicted wearing a suit and round glasses, visual codes that signal intelligence and respectability in the Netherlands. While little is known about Aeschinus Saagmans Mulder, this portrait, exhibited at the Rijksmuseum, suggests that he was a member of a social network deemed worthy of commemoration. Van Groenewoud created this image using graphite, a medium accessible to a wide range of artists. The use of graphite democratized art production, offering an alternative to oil paint which was expensive. By studying archival records from the period, we can learn more about the sitter and about the social dynamics of the art world in the Netherlands. As art historians, we recognize that meaning is not fixed but changes depending on the social and institutional context.