Portret van een man, gezeten bij een tafel 1830 - 1903

Jan Cornelis van Rossum made this pencil drawing, "Portret van een man, gezeten bij een tafel," in the Netherlands, likely around the mid-19th century. It is a depiction of a seated man, rendered with a focus on detailed shading and texture. The sitter's attire and composed posture tells us something about the social and economic status of the sitter and perhaps that of the artist as well. The attention to detail suggests a commission, and the relatively formal pose reflects the sitter's desire to project an image of respectability. Van Rossum was active in a period of significant social change in the Netherlands, including the rise of a wealthy middle class. As historians, we would want to investigate the institutions that supported artists like Van Rossum. We might consult archival records, exhibition catalogs, and period publications to understand the social networks in which Van Rossum operated. Understanding the social context helps us interpret the portrait not merely as an individual likeness but as a product of its time, reflecting the values and aspirations of Dutch society.