Portret van een onbekende man c. 1851 - 1883

This is an undated portrait of an unknown man by Johan Hendrik Hoffmeister. The lithograph is defined by its monochromatic tones and the subject's formal attire. The man is presented within a carefully constructed pictorial space that uses subtle gradations of light and shadow. Hoffmeister's meticulous rendering of the man's features and clothing draws our attention to the structural interplay between representation and identity. The sitter's gaze, directed slightly off-center, adds a layer of complexity, suggesting a narrative beyond the surface of the image. The absence of vibrant colors serves to highlight the graphic quality of the medium, where line and texture become critical elements in conveying form and depth. The lithograph thus functions as both a portrait and a study in visual communication. It invites the viewer to consider how the formal properties of art intersect with cultural codes of representation.