Portret van F.C. Domela Nieuwenhuis 1839 - 1870

This is a lithograph portrait of F.C. Domela Nieuwenhuis, made by Johann Peter Berghaus, sometime before 1870. It depicts a young man, neatly dressed in a suit and bow tie, staring directly at the viewer. Produced in the Netherlands, this work speaks to the social and political climate of the 19th century. Nieuwenhuis, a prominent socialist and freethinker, was a controversial figure known for his criticism of the church and advocacy for the working class. The portrait, with its attention to detail and somewhat romanticized depiction of the subject, reflects the conventions of bourgeois portraiture. Yet, the choice of Nieuwenhuis as a subject also hints at a more progressive agenda. Was Berghaus sympathetic to Nieuwenhuis's views? Was the artwork commissioned? Was it intended for public display? Unlocking the full meaning of this portrait requires delving into the archives, exploring the biographies of both the artist and the sitter, and considering the role of institutions such as the art market and the press.