Zelfportret van Lambertus Johannes Hansen 1840

Lambertus Johannes Hansen created this self-portrait with pen in grey in the 19th century. At this time portraiture was becoming more widespread due to social changes and an expanding middle class. The image shows the artist in a suit, the typical dress of the time for a man of status. Although Hansen seems to have worked mostly as a decorative painter, portraits such as this were an important means of establishing an artist’s reputation. They also served as advertisements, making their talents visible to potential patrons. In the 19th century, art academies and other institutions helped shape the idea of the artist as a professional. The institutions provided training but also created hierarchies and exerted control over who could participate in the art world. By studying the social and institutional context of artworks like this, and by researching archives and other historical documents, we can better understand the complex world in which art is created and consumed.