Silhouetportret van J.C. van de Velde Jr. 1809 - 1848

This silhouette portrait of J.C. van de Velde Jr. was made by Pieter Barbiers IV, likely in the Netherlands in the first half of the 19th century. Silhouettes were a popular and affordable alternative to painted portraits during this period, reflecting broader shifts in artistic patronage and accessibility. The stark contrast and precise lines of the silhouette create a sense of formality and reserve, in line with the values of the Dutch middle class. The sitter's hairstyle and clothing are also telling. His neatly styled hair and tailored coat speak to the rising importance of bourgeois respectability. To fully understand this image, we can look to sources like genealogical records and period fashion plates to help illuminate the social world of both the artist and his sitter. The meaning of art is always contingent on its historical context.