Portret van A.G. van de Garde 1840 - 1853

Adriaan Uyttenhooven made this portrait of A.G. van de Garde using lithography, though its exact date remains unknown. The image offers a glimpse into the social codes of 19th-century Netherlands. The subject's attire – the cravat, waistcoat, and jacket – speaks to a certain bourgeois respectability. Uyttenhooven was a known portraitist, and it's likely that van de Garde was part of his social circle or a commission from a local notable. Lithography itself was a relatively new medium at the time, allowing for more affordable reproductions than traditional engraving. This raises questions about the purpose of the portrait. Was it a private memento, or intended for wider circulation? Did it reflect the changing social dynamics of the time? Delving into local archives and genealogical records might reveal more about van de Garde and his place in Dutch society. By piecing together the social and institutional context, we can move closer to understanding the artwork's meaning and significance.