Portret van Abraham Boxman 1843 - 1856

Johan Hendrik Hoffmeister created this portrait of Abraham Boxman using lithography. It's a medium that democratized image-making during a time of significant social change. Boxman is depicted with the trappings of bourgeois respectability, his gaze steady and assured. Yet, how do we interpret such portraits today, knowing the complicated histories of power and representation they often embody? Hoffmeister, as an artist, navigated the expectations of his patrons and the artistic conventions of his time. As a result, this work invites us to reflect on the dynamics of class and identity in 19th-century portraiture. Consider how Hoffmeister's choices—the pose, the clothing, the subtle details—contribute to an image that both reflects and perhaps subtly shapes Boxman’s public persona. What narratives are being reinforced, and what stories might remain untold?