Portret van J. Kar. Hummel Possibly 1847

This lithograph of J. Kar. Hummel was created in 1845 by Johann Peter Berghaus. Lithography, as a medium, democratized image production, allowing for broader circulation of portraits, which had previously been the domain of the wealthy. Berghaus captures Hummel with a gaze that feels both direct and somewhat melancholic. The detailed rendering of his clothing – the patterned waistcoat and carefully knotted scarf – speaks to the sitter's status and attention to personal presentation. Yet, it is the subtle expression that hints at the complexities beneath the surface. During this period, representations of men often navigated between ideals of romantic sensitivity and bourgeois respectability. How does Berghaus manage to capture both? Perhaps it is in the quiet dignity of the pose, or in the way the soft light models the subject's face, inviting a sense of intimacy and reflection. This portrait then, is not just a likeness, but a carefully constructed image reflecting the sitter’s identity.