Portret van Johan Evertsen 1858 - 1862

This is Frederik Hendrik Weissenbruch’s monochromatic print of Johan Evertsen, medium unknown. The portrait’s composition is structured by contrasting textures and values, rendering a striking image. The subject, Johan Evertsen, a Dutch admiral, is depicted with meticulous detail. Weissenbruch masterfully manipulates light and shadow to model Evertsen's features, imbuing the portrait with a sense of depth and presence. The artist’s formal strategy highlights a tension between the individual and the broader historical narrative. Evertsen stands as a symbol of Dutch maritime power, his representation reflecting both personal identity and national pride. Note how the carefully placed signature emphasizes the importance of authorship and identity. Weissenbruch uses this to engage with questions of representation, authenticity, and historical memory. The print invites us to consider the complex interplay between the individual, the artist, and the larger cultural forces that shape our understanding of history.