Portret van H.W. Terpstra 1842 - 1864

Nicolaas Johannes Wilhelmus de Roode made this portrait of H.W. Terpstra, now at the Rijksmuseum, using lithography. The composition is dominated by the subject, positioned slightly off-center, which creates a dynamic tension within the otherwise formal arrangement. De Roode’s skillful use of line and shading gives shape to Terpstra’s form, conveying texture and depth through tonal variations. The chair grounds the figure in a setting which alludes to domesticity and intellect. De Roode’s lithograph reflects the 19th-century interest in capturing individual likeness and character. The way the subject occupies space within the frame can be understood through the lens of semiotics. Here, the figure asserts a visual language of identity, status, and self-presentation. Note how the chair creates a sense of depth and volume, yet the entire composition has an overall flatness. This interplay between flatness and depth underscores the constructed nature of representation. The print invites ongoing interpretations about the relationship between subject, artist, and viewer.