Portret van R. B. van den Bosch 

This is a portrait of R. B. van den Bosch by Johann Peter Berghaus, rendered in lithography. Though undated, it can be seen as an example of the burgeoning Dutch middle class in the 19th century, asserting itself as a powerful social class. Note how the sitter is posed: relaxed yet upright, suggesting respectability and status. The clean-shaven face and carefully tailored suit further speak to the sitter's economic position. Lithography itself played a vital role in the democratization of art. The comparative ease and lower cost of production meant that images could circulate more widely than ever before. This portrait then speaks to the increasing cultural power of the middle class. To understand the context of this image, we might consult census records, business directories, and newspapers of the period to understand the social and economic conditions that enabled its production and circulation. Understanding art requires an interdisciplinary approach, where we consider the material, the social, and the historical context.