Portret van Johannes Jelgerhuis 1830

This is a portrait of Johannes Jelgerhuis by Reinier Vinkeles, made with etching. Jelgerhuis, born in 1770, lived through a period of immense upheaval in the Netherlands, from the Batavian Republic to the Kingdom of Holland, experiencing shifting national identities and cultural norms. This portrait captures Jelgerhuis in a moment of poised reflection. The artist’s gaze meets ours with a sense of self-assuredness, yet there is also a hint of vulnerability in the details of his aging face. During Jelgerhuis' time, the rise of the middle class influenced portraiture, shifting the focus towards individual likeness and character. Portraits became symbols of status and personal identity. This etching then is more than just an image of a man; it reflects the values of a society in transition, seeking to define itself amidst political and social change.